VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Celebrates Veteran Centenarian Birthdays

VA Northern Indiana Health Care System had the unique opportunity to celebrate centenarian Veteran birthdays with Robert Bohyer, Esther Hill and Linord Kennedy at the Jackie Walorski VA Clinic on Jan. 23.

Three centenarian Veterans were honored at the Jackie Walorski VA Clinic in Ft. Wayne, Ind., on Jan. 23.

Robert Bohyer, Esther Hill and Linord Kennedy each celebrated their 100th birthdays with family, friends and VA staff.

Bohyer, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, served as a staff sergeant and tail gunner as part of the "Five Grand" crew. He flew 35 missions over Germany during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, Bohyer worked as a machinist for Dana Corporation for 30 years. He and his wife, Betty, have been married for 74 years and have three children, seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Hill, a U.S. Navy Veteran, worked as a nurse's aide and in medical records at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. She also served as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during the war.

After the war, Hill worked as a nurse at the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis for 25 years. She and her husband, Robert, had two children and seven grandchildren.

Kennedy was a U.S. Army Veteran who answered the call to service as a gunner during World War II. He served in the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, which was responsible for protecting Allied ships from German air raids.

After the war, Kennedy worked as a carpenter for 40 years. He and his wife, Mary, had 10 children, 25 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

These Veterans are part of this country's "Greatest Generation" for their legacy of patriotism and honor. Their stories and experiences will continue to inspire generations to come.