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George Zarko, a.k.a. the
"Colonel," sits on a park bench watching kids play war.
Monica thinks her assignment is to help the elderly Army veteran find
the joy of living. But Tess responds that what he really needs is to
be understood. She gives Monica's swing a push... and the caseworker's
human form transforms into that of an 80-year old woman. Entering the
retirement home where George lives, Monica meets him and Stephanie
Hancock, the officious Nurse Director. Tess, the volunteer Activities
Coordinator, persuades Stephanie to use pet therapy to alleviate the
patients' loneliness, while George grouses to Andrew, the facility's
cook, that a resident has recently died and no one seems to care.
Monica inadvertently inspires the veteran to rebel by lowering the
flag to half mast. Irate, Stephanie plans to kick him out of the
retirement home. But the caseworker intercedes on George's behalf,
vowing to be responsible for him. This selfless act endears Monica to
him, and Tess warns her to be wary of how close she gets to the man.
The supervisor's suspicions are validated when he makes a pass at the
angel. Matters worsen when Lorraine McCully, Monica's new roommate,
attempts to play matchmaker for the would-be couple. Despite
Stephanie's orders, Tess unlocks the piano in the social hall so
Lorraine can entertain the residents. Wary of George's affection for
her, the caseworker agrees to dance with him but gets winded.
Stephanie is furious that Tess disobeyed her and demands the piano key
back. Meanwhile, Andrew tends to Monica, who now understands the
frailty of the human heart. Lorraine also frets over her friend and
recalls the heartbreak when her husband was declared "Missing in
Action." Monica has a talk with George during which she reverts
to her younger form. He hastily exits, but she finds him the next day
back in the park. Though discouraged that the angel cannot return his
affection, George is convinced to share the truth about his past. He
publicly confesses that he was not an Army colonel but a cook.
Lorraine, realizing that he served with her late husband, Jimmy
produces a letter in which he praises George's cooking. The veteran,
in turn, is able to tell Lorraine how her husband died--sacrificing
his life to save others, including George. As a content Lorraine plays
the piano, Tess prompts Stephanie to admit she locked it up because it
reminded her of a father who stopped letting her take music lessons.
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