Honoring those who have served our country this veterans day we highlight America’s oldest living WWII vet Lawrence Brooks
Veterans Day is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. Veterans Day 2021 occurs on Thursday, November 11. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.”
Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.
Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. Memorial Day honors those who died in active military service which is traditionally observed on May 30 but now officially observed on the last Monday in May.
It is the greatest sacrifice one makes to serve their country proudly. Millions have served and continue to fight each and every day to protect and serve their neighbors and country. As we celebrate veterans day this year let it be a reminder of how much we all have in common, a deep love for this country and those who serve to protect it in both war and peace- they are our neighbors, they are our veterans- more likely than not they are a veteran or a family member of one as we live in the great military city of the USA!
WWII vet Lawrence Brooks is one of millions to serve proudly. Turning 112 years old in September he has another year under his belt! Lawrence Brooks is the oldest living World War II veteran and celebrated his 112th birthday in Louisiana.
Born on September 12, 1909, Brooks joined the US Army in 1940 and served until 1945 as part of the predominantly African American 91st Engineer Battalion. Then stationed in New Guinea he was then sent to the Philippines and rose to the rank of private first class during the war.
Brooks’ community celebrates his birthday every year and this year was no different. A huge community crowd of friends, neighbors and city leaders did a birthday drive-by at his home in New Orleans where Brooks wore a mask and a Saints jersey while waving and smiling to the crowd.
Brooks advised the crowd to “serve God and be nice to people,” according to WDSU.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards tweeted a photo with the vet on Sunday thanking him for his service.
A flyover of WWII-era aircraft was organized for Brooks’ birthday last year during the COVID-19 pandemic when stay at home orders were in effect. At his birthday celebration this year, he was treated to songs, kisses from the National WWII Museum in New Orleans’ vocal trio, the Victory Belles and a lot of joy.
According to the Veterans Affairs, which confirmed he is America’s oldest living veteran, Brooks was drafted by the army in 1940. He trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi and was honorably discharged in Nov. 1941.
However, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Brooks was called back for service. After the war, he returned home to New Orleans where he worked operating a forklift. He married and had five kids, and now has 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
He was widowed in 2005 when his second wife, Leona, died shortly after the couple was evacuated in a helicopter in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The birthday event was organized by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Every Veterans Day and Memorial Day, Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual memorial service. The cemetery is home to the graves of over 400,000 people, most of whom served in the military. Many prominent leaders and former presidents have given speeches on veterans day. In 2016 Former President Obama praised the U.S. military in a Veteran’s Day speech during his presidency as the “single most diverse institution in our country” and urged Americans to tap into the spirit of commonality that defines the armed forces as the country moves forward. “We can show how much we love our country by loving our neighbors as ourselves.”
The great late Maya Angelou once shared, “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”
This veterans day, remember to thank a veteran and love your neighbor.
Veterans Day events will be happening all week long. For more information on the events please visit https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/. For a list of free services or products that local businesses will be offering to vets on veterans day you may visit: https://militarybenefits.info/veterans-day-discounts-sales-deals-free-meals/
