VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — He's 93 years old and gearing up for another Polar Plunge.
Richard Hudson is no stranger to dipping into the icy Atlantic, all to benefit Special Olympics Virginia.
And he's ready to do it again.
News 3 caught up with him at Virginia Beach's Bow Creek Rec Center, doing his daily routine—one hour of water exercises in the pool. The water temperature in the pool is much more enjoyable than what he'll dealing with next month at the Oceanfront, which will be his sixth plunge.
"I do it because of two things," he said. "It's a challenge for me and I think the kids need the money."
What first got Hudson to take the plunge?
"Well when I got 85 years old, I thought, 'I was in Korea for the Frozen Chosin' and I said 'you know, that was 26 below zero and I got through that, I'm 85 years old, I'm gonna give this thing a crack and see if I can do it'."
That "Frozen Chosin" refers to Hudson, as a young Marine, taking part in an important and brutal battle in the Korean War. November 1950. The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir—two weeks of unforgiving terrain and bitter temperatures.
"Most of the guys got frostbite, ears, feet, hands," he said. "I lost my hearing because of it, I think."
It's why he had to have surgery and wears special hearing aid devices years later. But he continues to give back.
Next month Hudson will be the oldest plunger at the Oceanfront. At 93 years old, his message to others is "come on out and join me and find out if you can do it. I'd like to see you guys out there, I think you can do it."
For all that Hudson continues to do, News 3 presented him with an Everyday Hero award, along with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
If you want more information on next month's Polar Plunge, including how to sign up or just donate click here.
