The World War II veteran from Bradenton, Fla., enjoyed reaching a major milestone Thursday surrounded by his loved ones.
World War II U.S. Air Force veteran Jules Hagen turned around The 104-year-old's birthday celebration included singing, lots of laughter and cupcakes, 11 Alive reported.
Hagen grew up in Indiana, USA. great depression And the father made his son understand that it takes hard work to get ahead in the world, and told him to get up at 6 a.m. and work until noon.
“Shut your mouth and do your job,” he said with a laugh.
In a social media post Thursday, Hagen's residence, Brookdale Palma Sola, said: share A photo of him being interviewed by media personnel.
“Today we are so excited to celebrate a truly amazing milestone of 104 years with Jules. From countless cherished memories to touching stories, Jules has just witnessed history. Whether it's sharing her wisdom or simply enjoying the little things, Jules continues to inspire us every day,” the post reads.
Today, we are so excited to be celebrating a truly amazing milestone with Jules: 104 years old. Countless times…
Posted by Brookdale Parma Sola above Thursday, January 2, 2025
During the war, Hagen was a command engineer stationed in England. His job was to make sure the B-17 bombers and pilots were ready to fight the enemy.
World War II started in 1939 and ended in 1945. known According to the National World War II Museum's website, the war was “the bloodiest and most destructive war in history.”
Before the war, Germany, America, and the rest of the world were experiencing the Great Depression. The economy was in very bad shape, with unemployment reaching an all-time high and massive inflation destroying the value of money. More than 50 countries around the world fought and more than 100 million soldiers were deployed. Countries such as the United States and Great Britain were part of the Allied Powers. Japan and Germany were part of the Axis powers.
After the war, Hagen worked as a lawyer and became a husband and father. His advice to the younger generation is to meet challenges head on.
“I think I was raised thinking that the way to live is to work. You have to work. You have to plan,” he said.
