New Orleans celebrates oldest known World War II vet's 112th birthday
To celebrate Lawrence Brooks turning 112, his friends, family, neighbors, and well-wishers pulled out all the stops.
Brooks is the oldest known living World War II veteran. His birthday was Sunday, and the festivities included a Jeep parade by Brooks' New Orleans home featuring vehicles decorated with balloons and signs, musical performances from the Victory Belles and two brass bands, and lots of cake.
"We all love Mr. Brooks," says Peter Crean, a vice president at the National World War II Museum. "He represents so much. He represents a generation that helped save the world. He's just a wonderful person. If you ask Mr. Brooks how did he live so long, he's going to tell you, 'Be nice to people.'"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
During World War II, Brooks was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines, serving in the 91st Engineer Battalion. "He means so much to his community, to his church, to the National World War II Museum, and as the oldest World War II veteran in the United States, he means a lot to this nation," Crean said. In Brooks' honor, the City of New Orleans issued an official proclamation recognizing his birthday, while Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) tweeted to Brooks that the entire state "thanks you for your service and we all wish you a joyous birthday."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published