The number of actively enrolled World War II veterans has dropped from 792 in fiscal year 2018 to 397 in 2021.

So when one lives to be 100, it’s a big deal!  Especially if the birthday falls on Father’s Day as it did for one South Florida WW2 veteran.

World War II Army veteran Paul Weitzenkom celebrated his 100th birthday in Fort Lauderdale surrounded by family and friends on Sunday.

Local WWII vet celebrates 100th birthday on Father's Day https://t.co/df27e57twB

— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) June 20, 2022

The grandfather told WSVN that he  hadn’t “thought about it much, but when I thought about it, I was hopeful that I make it.”   And he did.