(NECN: Scot Yount, Boston) - A 48-star U.S. flag meant freedom to then 14-year-old Steve Ross.
He had been a prisoner at Dachau during World War II for five years.
On this Veteran's Day at the Massachusetts State House, his story is told by his son, Boston City Council President Michael Ross.
Nine days before the end of the war, the American Army arrived.
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"There they found 32,000 barely alive inmates, among them was my father, at age 14 he weighed 50 pounds, he could hardly walk, and he was close to death," said Ross.
It was one Lt. Steve Sattler that saw the boy and changed his life forever.
"That soldier gave me a handkerchief, I did not know until later that this was a flag, the flag of freedom," said Ross, quoting his father.
The Ross family searched for that soldier for decades, finally finding his family who were there Sunday.
"For me it is just awe inspiring to realize that my father was that caring in such a time of ugliness," said Stephanie Sattler, who's father helped free Ross from the prison camp.
"The thing I can tell you is that it is an incredible situation, we found the soldier who found me when I got out of the Dachau Camp and he gave me a flag, and he gave me some food, rations, and he hugged me and I kissed his boots," said the elder Ross.
"It's an emotional day for us, to really connect the dots and meet this family who has been such an influence in not only my father's life, but my whole family's life," said the younger Ross.
"I want you all to know, that it is the greatest time in my life, God bless our America, the greatest land of all," said the elder Ross, holding back the tears.
