A North Carolina woman is remembering a dear friend and World War II veteran she met in Cortlandt Manor.

Beth Regan met Robert Graham while volunteering at the Field Home Nursing Home in Cortlandt Manor.

Graham, Regan's best friend and grandfather figure, passed away on April 12 at the age of 97.

Regan says she'll always remember how humble and kind Graham was, especially to his wife Rosie.

"He brushed her hair in the morning, he would feed her before he ate himself," Regan says. "She was incapable of doing so because of arthritis, and he would hold up a mirror and tell her how beautiful she was every day."

Regan's entire family grew close to Graham and even planned his 95th birthday party.

She says learning about his childhood and military service as a World War II raider only made them grow closer.

Regan says Graham inspired her to be better, and now she always asks herself, "What would Bob do?"

"It's important to reach out to people in your community and make sure that they feel loved and appreciated and really take the time to hear someone's story because once you do, you really can learn so very much," Regan says.

Regan is asking for people to make a donation in Graham's name to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.