One of the oldest living WWII veterans in the U.S., who’s also a San Diegan, celebrated his 100th birthday Monday and got a cake and a special serenade from the hosts of “Today.”
Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager were presenting the show from outside their New York City studio and found Sidney Walton on the side of the set watching along with family.
Kotb cued the team, and Roker ran over to Walton to be the first one to wish him a happy birthday.
“Thank you so much!” Walton said. “I can’t express with words, because I’ve been here a long time.”
As the talent and hundreds of fans in the gallery began belting the birthday tune, Walton broke down in tears.
He later joined the cast indoors where it was warm for cake and once-in-a-lifetime photos.
The centenarian was born in NYC in 1919. He enlisted in the U.S. Army nine months after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served for all of WWII, according to his son Paul.
Walton is currently touring the country visiting every state’s capital and major cities, and will shake the hands of 50 governors and thousands more patriotic Americans along the way.
His “No Regrets Tour” is self-funded but relies heavily on donations from the public. To donate, click here.
Photo Credit: Today
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Source: NBC San Diego
Be First to Comment