Leonard Hopkins, a 92-year-old Air Force veteran, regularly joined fellow Black veterans for coffee at a Miami McDonald's. His son described him as a quiet yet impactful leader. Born in Coconut Grove, Leonard developed a passion for mechanics but faced racial discrimination that led him to join the Air Force instead of pursuing aviation school. He served during the Korean War in a B-36 aircraft and used his experiences with racism as motivation to excel. Leonard passed away from prostate cancer in July 2024.
Leonard Hopkins and fellow Black military veterans gathered daily at a Miami McDonald's to share memories over cups of coffee and orange juice, fostering a sense of community.
Son Stephen Hopkins recalled, 'When you walk in the room, people want to know who you are; when you leave, they will want to know who you were,' describing his father's impactful presence.
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