Lawrence Brooks isn’t famous. He was born on September 12, 1909, and he served his country as a Private 1st class between 1940 and 1945.

 

The now 110-year-old Brooks initially served as a servant to three white officers within the 91st Engineer Battalion, while stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea. His duties included cleaning their uniform and sheets, as well as shining their shoes.

 

Brooks was recently honored at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, and now holds the distinguished title of America’s oldest living WWII veteran. The title once belonged to Mr. Richard Overton; however, he passed away at the age of 112.

 

And it just so happens that the National World War II Museum has been celebrating Brooks’ birthdays ever since he turned 105 back in 2014.

 

In speaking about their relationship with the former soldier, the Museum’s vice president, Peter Crean, said this:

 

“We absolutely love Mr. Brooks. We’ve told him, ‘As long as you keep having birthdays, we are going to keep having birthday parties for you here.’ We consider him ‘our veteran.’”

Brooks now uses a walker to get around, he’s also blind in one eye and has poor vision in the other. However, that’s to be expected when one reaches such an incredible age!

 

“I’ve started to think about not having many birthdays left. But I’m not worried about it, because God has let me live this long already,” Brooks explained.

 

“I think it’s because I’ve always liked people so much. Oh yes, I do.”