ONE little boy has made a huge gesture to one of his nation’s heroes.

When fifth-grader Nicholas DeGregorio, heard that an elderly veteran had accidentally showed up to a cancelled Memorial Day parade in New York, the 11-year-old made sure he wouldn’t go home unhonoured.

Nicholas, who was supposed to make his maiden march with his school’s band, was disappointed when the parade was cancelled because of bad weather.

“Nicholas felt so bad for all of the veterans that would not have a parade in honour of all their fallen comrades,” Mary DeGregorio said.

But this bad weather didn’t stop Nicholas and his family from paying tribute.

“We drove the parade route with Nicholas playing the trumpet out the window for all to hear.”

When the DeGregorio family arrived at Nicholas’ school, a woman explained to them that her father, a disabled WWII veteran named Chris Iannacone, hadn’t received the message about the cancelled parade, and would be arriving shortly. Without hesitation, Nicholas offered to play a song for him.

The family chatted with Chris for a while before Nicholas honoured the WWII veteran, playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” on his trumpet.

“He was thrilled and Nicholas was thrilled as well to have the opportunity to play for him and brighten his morning.”

We take our hat off to you, Nicholas!