Community Corner

'Dancing Chuck' From Waukesha Posts New Video

Chuck Franzke, 98, a World War II veteran who went viral as "Dancing Chuck," is back.

Chuck Franzke of Waukesha made another dancing video to celebrate his upcoming 99th birthday on Dec. 22.
Chuck Franzke of Waukesha made another dancing video to celebrate his upcoming 99th birthday on Dec. 22. (Stars and Stripes Honor Flight​)

WAUKESHA, WI — A World War II veteran who went viral as "Dancing Chuck" has returned with a video, accompanied by the Arrowhead High School band.

Chuck Franzke of Waukesha made a new dance video to celebrate his upcoming 99th birthday on Dec. 22.

In the video posted by the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, Franzke is seen standing near the door wearing a mask. He moves closer to hear the high school band playing. Suddenly, he breaks into a dance in typical "Dancing Chuck" fashion.

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The first dance that Franzke recorded with the honor flight was in December 2016.

The dancing vet previously did a dance video to Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling." The video went viral, and even Timberlake said in an online interview he got choked up after watching it.

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About 'Dancing Chuck'

The veteran flew Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers for the Navy in 1945, near the end of the war, to keep shipping lanes open in the South Pacific. He was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Saginaw Bay. His rank was ensign, according to the honor flight.

Franzke took his Stars and Stripes Honor Flight in November of 2011. An honor flight brings the community together to thank veterans with an all-expense-paid trip to Washington to see memorials and to experience a day of honor and thanks for their service, according to the honor flight's website.

Stars and Stripes Honor Flight ambassadors Chuck and Beverly Franzke have been married for more than 75 years. They dated for almost six years before getting married. He shipped an engagement ring home to his parents from the carrier for his parents to give Beverly for Christmas, the honor flight website said.

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