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This WWII vet is turning 102 years old, and he wants you to send him a birthday card

World War II veteran George Campbell. (Willow Springs Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center/Facebook)

George Campbell has seen it all.

He’s watched 12 people walk on the moon, lived through 18 presidents, and as of this week, reached 102 years of age.

So the staff at Willow Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Brick and family of George, a resident, decided to do something special to celebrate his upcoming birthday—present him with 102 birthday cards.

The rehab center posted a request on their Facebook page last Thursday, asking people to send George a birthday card, which has been shared over 1,200 times. It’s a surprise spearheaded by the staff and George’s daughter, Patricia, according to Yehuda May, an administrator at the center.

[Anyone wishing to send George Campbell a birthday card can mail it to him at Willow Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, 1049 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick, NJ, 08724.]

So far, they’ve received hundreds of cards from all over the country, May said.

“We were so excited and surprised by the outpouring of support and love from far and wide for our resident George,” he said. “Our staff is just so excited to be part of something bigger and are truly appreciating the more personal and meaningful parts of our job.”

May said Willow Springs hosts a monthly birthday party for residents, but this card drive is specifically for George’s celebration.

Originally from Perth Amboy, George moved to Willow Springs this past May after living in Brick for many years, May said. George is a “proud Navy veteran,” having served in the South Pacific during World War II, he said.

George spent 25 years as a curator at the Edison Museum in West Orange. He’s also been a sheet metal specialist who was involved in building many diners, including the original O.B. Diner in Point Pleasant.

The celebration will be on Oct. 10, George’s birthday, and will include several residents. Entertainment is coming in for the festivities, May said, and there will be cake.

The key to George’s longevity? “To be calm,” George said, according to May. Genetics might be a bonus, since George’s mother lived to be 104, May added.

Anyone wishing to send George Campbell a birthday card can mail it to him at Willow Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, 1049 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick, NJ, 08724.

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© 2019 NJ Advance Media Group