When U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient Harry Perez Cerezo approached his 100th birthday last year, he wasn't sure how he wanted to celebrate the milestone.
He jokingly told his niece, Josie Ramirez, that he wanted to celebrate at a restaurant where he could meet beautiful women.
What Cerezo didn't know at the time was that a place called Hooters actually existed.
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So Ramirez and her husband took Cerezo to the El Paso branch of the famous chicken wing chain for her birthday, much to Cerezo's delight.
“He was having fun, he liked it. They came and took pictures with him,” Ramirez said of his staff in a phone interview with Fox News Digital. “The whole atmosphere was everyone was very, very friendly,” she said.
Veteran Harry Perez Cerezo celebrated his 101st birthday at a Hooters in El Paso, Texas. It was the second year in a row that he celebrated at this restaurant. (Hooters)
And he liked Hooters so much that he decided to celebrate his 101st birthday there too.
“He never thought he would live to be 101,” Ramirez said.
But when his birthday came around again, he said he wanted to celebrate like the previous year.
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On Friday, January 5th, Hooters in El Paso, Texas hosted Cerezo's 101st birthday party with the Veteran of Foreign Wars, as well as his family and friends.
There were decorations, cake, and cute women.
In addition to an autographed Hooters hat, Cerezo was treated to “Happy Birthday” played by one of the chain's iconic employees.
“He had a big smile,” Ramirez said.
Hooters Girls signed hats to celebrate U.S. Army veteran's 101st birthday. (Hooters)
“It was an honor to celebrate Harry's 101st birthday!” Hooters El Paso wrote on its official Facebook page. “Harry served his country for 22 years, is a Purple Heart recipient, and is a World War II and Korean War veteran!”
The company added, “Let's all celebrate Harry's birthday!”
“Happy Birthday, Harry,” the Hooters Facebook page said. [It’s] It's a privilege – thank you for your service and sacrifice. ”
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Cerezo, who is originally from Puerto Rico, joined the U.S. military as soon as he was a teenager, Ramirez told Fox News Digital.
“It was an honor to celebrate Prince Harry's 101st birthday.”
During World War II, “he was sent to Japan,” Ramirez said.
While there, he was shot in the back and eventually received a Purple Heart.
After recovering, Cerezo was sent back into the war. He also served in the Korean War.
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He retired after 22 years of military service and moved to North Carolina to work for the U.S. Postal Service.
After retiring, he and his wife moved to El Paso. Cerezo's wife passed away in 2018.
“He's a very, very quiet, unassuming guy,” Ramirez said.
Cerezo's niece described him as a “quiet and reserved” person who frequently worked out and watched game shows. He was pictured celebrating his 101st birthday at a Hooters in El Paso, Texas. (Hooters)
Despite his age, Cerezo is “very active,” Ramirez said. He also trains every day on a treadmill.
She says people are often surprised to hear he's 101 years old.
Even at 101 years old, I still train on the treadmill every day.
He loves watching Mexican soap operas and game shows like “Jeopardy!” And he plays “Wheel of Fortune” every night.
“He won't go anywhere with me until then.'' [the shows are] “He hates Sundays because he doesn't have games,” Ramirez said.
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As for his future, Cerezo plans to celebrate every birthday at his new favorite place, El Paso Hooters.
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“he said [local media] When they interviewed him, he said, “I'm going to be here until I'm 105 years old,” Ramirez said.
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