LEBANON, Pa. — The party is on for World War II veterans in Lebanon.
On Wednesday, workers at the Lebanon VA Medical Center held a birthday celebration for four veterans, each of whom is at or approaching their 100th birthday.
“As old as I am, I got here by putting one foot in front of the other," said Marian Long.
Long was the youngest of the veterans at the party, she will be turning 100 in the New Year. She served as a medic in the Army Air Corps and was stationed in Texas and Arizona from 1944-1946.
Joseph Ariosto, who turns 100 in a couple of weeks, was a flight engineer in the Army Air Corps and served in both World War II and the Korean War.
100-year-old Grace Adkins served in the Navy during World War II. She was stationed in South Carolina, where she managed liberty cards and recorded minutes at the Captains’ Mast discipline hearings.
Jack Bodner is the oldest at 101-years-old and will be turning 102 this weekend. He was a gunner in the Navy and helped transport soldiers to the beaches in Normandy during the D-Day Invasion.
All of them said they were grateful for their service to the country.
“I just took care of the ones who gave their all and lost a lot more," said Long.
“I’m just happy to have made it, through the grace of God, as some of the buddies that I had didn’t make it," said Jack Bodner.
Doug Etter with the Lebanon VA said the event not only celebrated four milestone birthdays, but it allowed people to hear their stories about their service during World War II.
“We need to hear their stories," said Etter. "We need to record them, share them, and pass them along to others.”
As they were showered with gifts, the veterans were happy to share their centennial birthday celebration with their friends.
“Through the grace of God, I hope I can make it to any other future events," said Bodner.