The National World War II museum in New Orleans held a ceremony for one of the oldest surviving veterans of the war on Tuesday, celebrating his 108th birthday.
Lawrence Brooks celebrated his birthday at the museum with cupcakes and the Victory Belles close-harmony trio, a popular singing group.
“It’s breathtaking and I really appreciate them putting my daddy in the spotlight like this and showing that they appreciate his service and everything, and I think this is what’s giving him the longevity that he has,” Brooks’ daughter, Vanessa, told WWLTV.
Brooks served in the predominantly African American 91st Engineer Battalion, which was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II.
Brooks previously spent his 105th and 107th birthdays at the museum.
When asked about his secret to longevity, Brooks responded: “Be nice to people. Treat people nice. Don’t hate… hatred. You might not believe it but in the eyesight of God, we’re all sisters and brothers. That’s what I live on.”
