ZEBULON, NC (WTVD/CNN) - The grieving family of a soldier killed overseas received a personal check Monday from President Donald Trump for $25,000.
The Washington Post recently reported that the president promised them the money after their son was killed in June but hadn't followed through. The family spoke about their gratitude and how they plan to use the money to honor the memory of their son.
When FedEx arrived on the Baldridge's porch, Jessie Baldridge had an idea who it was from.
"I noticed the address said the Trump organization," said Jessie Baldridge, the stepmother of Cpl. Dillon Baldridge.
The letter began, "Dear Christopher," Dillon Baldridge's father, who asked to not go on camera.
Weeks after their son was killed in a Taliban attack while deployed in Afghanistan, Christopher Baldridge got a call from Trump.
The president offered his condolences and promised to send the family $25,000. Four months later, it arrived.
The letter stated, "I am glad my legal counsel has been able to finally approve this contribution to you. Enclosed is a check for $25,000.
"I hope this will make things a bit easier, but nothing will ever replace your son, Dillon. He was an American hero."
The Baldridge family made national headlines last week when the Washington Post article detailed the president's promise and that the check had never arrived.
Dillon Baldridge's family insisted they weren't angry at all, never expecting the money would come.
"It's been hard. There's been a lot of negativity and that's really unfortunate because the whole goal in this pursuit is kindness," Jessie Baldridge said.
The family's goal is to use the president's money to start a foundation in Dillon Baldridge's name - a nonprofit aimed at simply "helping people," first in North Carolina then the country.
"We are going to be doing a fundraiser for a local preschool right here in town," Jessie Baldridge said.
With a gold star in the window and on his stepmother's lapel, Dillon Baldridge is a constant presence here. The president's check will go to ensure his legacy of service lives on too.
"Dillon would be proud of this," Jessie Baldridge said. "I mean who can say they started their foundation from a loan from the president of the United States?"
The family said they view the check as a loan, and their plan is to pay Trump back as soon as the foundation can afford it.
Copyright 2017 WTVD via CNN. Washington Post contributed to the report. All rights reserved.
