Jamal Roberts Gave Up His Private Jet for a 103-Year-Old WWII Veteran — What He Got in Return Was the Gift of a Lifetime

Fresh off his history-making win on American Idol, Jamal Roberts was expected to spend the week celebrating. Interviews, magazine covers, label meetings. But instead of boarding his private jet for Los Angeles, Jamal gave it away — to a stranger whose story would change his life forever.

Harold Bennett, 103 years old, had one final wish: to return to France, where he had once fallen in love during the chaos of World War II. He had met Marie-Claire, a young woman who risked her life to feed and shelter Allied soldiers during the liberation of Normandy. For a few unforgettable weeks, they had something rare: peace. Then Harold had to leave, and life moved on — except in his heart.

Now, nearly 80 years later, Harold’s only dream was to see her one last time.

But airlines refused to accommodate his medical needs. Doctors warned against commercial travel. Time was slipping away — until fate intervened.

Jamal heard Harold’s story through his manager’s wife, who volunteers with a veterans’ organization. He didn’t hesitate.

“Give him my jet,” Jamal said. “We’ll figure the rest out later.”

The music world was stunned. So was Harold.

In less than 48 hours, the veteran boarded Jamal’s sleek, black-and-gold jet, accompanied by a medical team and his grandson. The flight was smooth. Emotional. Quiet. Harold stared out the window most of the way, whispering stories no one else in the cabin could fully understand.

When they landed in Paris, local authorities helped Harold travel to the village where he’d last seen Marie-Claire. The café was still there. So was she.

Now 98, Marie-Claire never married.
“I waited,” she said softly as she held Harold’s hands, tears flowing. “I always thought you’d come back.”

They embraced for the first time in nearly 80 years. No cameras. No press. Just love, survived.

But the story doesn’t end there.

Back in Nashville, Jamal was in rehearsals when his phone buzzed. A FaceTime call from Paris. On the screen: Harold, smiling beneath a cherry blossom tree.

In his hands — a faded WWII battle map, covered in hand-drawn routes and dozens of signatures from Harold’s unit.

One signature made Jamal freeze:
Tobias Roberts — his great-grandfather.

“That man saved my life in 1944,” Harold said, voice cracking. “He pulled me out from the rubble. We called him ‘The Preacher,’ because he always sang hymns before battle.”

Tobias Roberts had passed away before Jamal was born. The family knew he fought in Normandy, but little else. And now, 80 years later, a map — and a living witness — brought him back.

Harold offered the map to Jamal.

“You gave me my last chance at love,” he said. “Let me give you this piece of your family.”

Jamal was silent, then whispered:
“I thought I was the first Roberts to ever sing on a world stage… I was wrong.”

He later posted a black-and-white photo of the map to Instagram, captioned:

“My great-grandfather sang before battle. I sing because of him. Thank you, Harold. For everything. 🇺🇸❤️🇫🇷 #LegacyLivesOn”

The internet erupted.

“Jamal Roberts gave away his jet and found a piece of his soul in return.”
“This young man is not just an Idol winner — he’s a human being of the highest order.”
“A jet, a war story, a love story — and a song across generations.”

Fellow American Idol alums and artists chimed in.

Lionel Richie commented: “This is what music is for — connection, healing, truth.”
Carrie Underwood reposted with: “This made me cry. God bless you, Jamal.”

Harold has since invited Jamal to his 104th birthday in Normandy, where the map will be framed in a local museum alongside a plaque honoring both Tobias and Harold.

Jamal already confirmed he’ll be there — not to perform, but to listen, to remember, and to thank.

One flight. One old love. One signature from the past — and a rising star who gave up everything for a stranger, only to discover the roots of his own song.

Jamal Roberts didn’t just win American Idol.
He won something far greater: a legacy — rediscovered, returned, and remembered.