Eugene Brown of Fleming celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday surrounded by friends, neighbors and a couple of special guests.
The World War II veteran was presented proclamations from both Colorado Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, and Colorado Sen. Byron Pelton, R-Sterling. Holtorf served in the U.S. Army and Pelton is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
“It is pretty amazing to have someone in our community who is part of the greatest generation,” said Holtorf, later discussing with one of Brown’s great grandsons the importance of those who served in WWII. “We are blessed because of what you all did.”
At age 5, Brown’s family moved to Fleming in 1928, where they farmed and raised cattle. Brown was drafted in March 1943. He followed basic training with an assignment to Buckley Field in Denver before transferring to Randolph Field in Texas for training as a flight surgeon assistant.
The proclamations by Holtorf and Pelton each read that Brown was shipped to Bombay, India, by truck, boat and on foot to upper Assam and then to Burma, where he fought the Japanese on the Burma Road to Kunming, China. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Pacific WWII Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged from Army Air Force service as a sergeant in 1946.
The presentation of proclamations from both of his state legislative officials was an honor, Brown said.
“No, it is an honor for us,” said Holtorf, who was discharged as an Army captain.
“A true honor,” Pelton said.
Brown told a few stories he recalled, including about the contents of their mess kits in WWII. He relayed his memory of a cookie servicemen received in their rations and of a monkey that would hang around.
“The monkey wouldn’t eat the cookie,” Brown said. “If a monkey wouldn’t eat the cookie, should we?”
He also told of his trip back home to Fleming.
“The day the war was over, I was in Burma,” he said. “It took a month to get to Calcutta, India, where we caught a boat to come home. It took 29 days to ride back home.”
Upon returning, he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie, and then began a 30-year career for Logan County infrastructure as a heavy equipment operator. He also volunteered as a fireman, with his local Methodist church and served as a Fleming City Councilman.
“It is especially an honor for two veterans like us to honor you,” Pelton told Brown.
Holtorf and Pelton heard of Brown’s upcoming birthday party through his family. Holtorf asked Pelton to visit his office at the state capital building and together they planned out proclamations for Brown, and a plan to present them personally on his birthday.
“We both thought, we had to do a proclamation to honor this gentleman,” Holtorf said.
The proclamations point out Brown is among the last surviving veterans of WWII and “has been an inspiration to many in his community by showing those around him that contributing to the betterment of America continues long after you return home.”
Added Pelton: “We are missing the greatest generation today.”
While there are many bills of importance to have crossed the desk of Holtorf and Pelton during the 74th Legislative Session, nothing has been more memorable, they said.
“This has to be the best day of the General Assembly,” Pelton said.
“Easily,” Holtorf added.
Members of Brown’s family say he has had big parties for his 75th wedding anniversary in 2021, and 99th and 100th birthdays and has met both of his state legislative officials. When he turns 101, they believe it will just be cake with his family.
But, on his 100th birthday he was asked how he felt.
“I’m upright and breathing,” Brown said to laughter.
“That’s a pretty good day,” Pelton said.
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