Michael Robert “Bob” Green walked out of his Ocean View bungalow home to cheers and applause on Saturday afternoon.
Friends, neighbors and family had gathered on his front lawn to celebrate his birthday. Green, a World War II veteran and lifelong Norfolk resident, turned 100 on July 27.
Duke Brickhouse, who has been Green’s neighbor for several years, helped plan the celebration, which included a proclamation read by Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander honoring Green. Members of area civic leagues and the Norfolk Veterans Affair Commission also attended.
Brickhouse shared some of Green’s war memories with the crowd on Saturday.
“In 1942 at the age of 19, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II,” Brickhouse said.
Green served as a tech sergeant with the 349th Infantry Mine Platoon, 88th Infantry Division as a sapper and demolitions expert clearing out enemy minefields in Italy.
“Bob recalls how his division came ashore on a dark and stormy night near Naples, knowing that German aircraft couldn’t fly in such weather,” Brickhouse said. “Bob quickly made a name for himself as a competent soldier that officers could count on.”
Green returned home in 1947, and has lived in the Ocean View community since then.
Alexander attended Saturday’s celebration, and declared the day as “Michael Robert ‘Bob’ Green Day” in Norfolk.
“Bob, we represent a very grateful city,” Alexander said.
Alexander also surprised Green with a photo of his military draft card, which Green said he had never seen.
Becky Parsons, Green’s niece, was happy to see Green recognized.
“I think Uncle Bobby deserves it,” she said.
Parsons drove 12 hours from her home in Eatonton, Georgia, to celebrate her uncle’s birthday.
“He was so much fun growing up,” Parsons remembered.
“And he was always there for us,” she said. “He was so excited when I had my boys. He taught my son to whistle.”
Parsons also said Green is always laughing, always in a good mood.
“I’ve never seen him argue,” she said.
Parsons, who visits Green every year, said she appreciates the community for taking care of her uncle.
Debbie Roper, Green’s niece by marriage, lives in Norfolk and often checks on her uncle.
Roper said Green was still driving his truck until about six months ago and mainly enjoyed taking himself to McDonald’s to meet his friends.
“Him and his buddies always went to McDonald’s every day for breakfast,” she said. “The ladies at McDonald’s always had their meals ready for them.”
Green attended Granby High School but dropped out to learn the plumbing trade. Before leaving for war, he worked for a company installing plumbing on the expanding Navy base and nearby Navy housing, Brickhouse said.
“Bob is immensely proud to have lived in Ocean View,” Brickhouse said. “He insists that Ocean View put Norfolk on the map because, back in the day, people came from all over the country to fish from the boathouses and piers in Ocean View. Tourists could fish all day for 50 cents.
“Bob recalls the trolley cars that ran up Granby Street and along Ocean View
Avenue. In his younger days, Bob spent many evenings riding the roller coaster at the
Ocean View Amusement Park and winning dance contests at local dance halls with his
sisters.”
Brickhouse presented Green with a military shadowbox, which held his medals and a folded American flag that had been flown over the nation’s capital.
On Saturday, Green waved to all his well-wishers from his porch and thanked them for the celebration.
“I’d never have believed it,” he said. “I never expected it. Thank you for everything.”
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