The coronavirus pandemic didn’t stop one New Jersey community from celebrating a World War II veteran’s 100th birthday.
A big birthday party had been planned for when U.S. Army veteran Frank Uveges turned 100, but those plans had to be scrapped because of the coronavirus. Instead, residents of Hamilton, New Jersey, gathered outside his home, and cars drove by waving signs in a makeshift parade honoring his life. The parade was done while adhering to social distancing policies.
“Since his 95th birthday, he’s been looking forward to his 100th birthday,” Susan Lombardo told Fox News. She and Uveges’s nephew, Dave, decided to help commemorate the birthday in a memorable way.
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Passing cars honked as a group gathered outside and sang a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars post detailed the event on Facebook and encouraged residents to help celebrate the centenarian, who served in the European theater.
“We will be reaching out to all of our Post membership and the community to join in on a ‘drive by party’. We will be driving by Frankie’s home thru out the entire day to honk, sing, wave, yell, etc. to show our love & support of this truly amazing WW II, purple heart & bronze star recipient!” the post read.
“I think it’s unbelievable that people would come out here like they did,” Uveges told NJ.com. “My neighbors, I’ve got all good neighbors.”
N.J. Neighbors threw this WWII veteran a parade for his 100th birthday. ? pic.twitter.com/oFc8RPyFWl
— NJ.com (@njdotcom) April 1, 2020
