Veterans and community members came together to honor nine remarkable individuals at the Department of Veterans Affairs on February 26, 2025, celebrating their milestone of turning 100 years old. This celebration, which started as a response to the needs of veterans without families, is aimed at recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of older generations, especially those who served during World War II.
The event was inspired by Mayia Barton, a primary care social worker at the Beaumont Department of Veterans Affairs. "I thought this would be a really good event to put on annually, and to also give a chance to let our younger veterans see..." Barton expressed, emphasizing the importance of community support. Among those honored were Lennie Benoit, who will celebrate his 103rd birthday this December; Maurice Fournet and Ignace Trahan, both turning 102; Sam Davis and Willis Livingston, both turning 101; and several others who recently reached the centenarian mark, including Ray Tweedel, Thomas Harris, Jennings Arrington, and Jack Wheat.
These veterans shared valuable life lessons during the celebration. Livingston advised younger generations to stay clean and avoid drugs, echoing sentiments of personal responsibility. Wheat, on the other hand, encouraged patience and patriotism: "Everyone should be a patriot," he asserted, underlining the values they fought for during their service.
Shifting gears to another inspiring story, Carolyn Bessette, who will soon be marking her 100th birthday at the Williston Place senior living community, refuses to let age define her. "Oh my goodness, I don’t want to be bedridden or crippled. I want to be on my feet and moving around," she stated, showcasing her determination to stay active with the help of her personal trainer, Mary-Ellen Longworth.
Longworth shares Bessette’s ethos, noting, "You keep the muscles if you use them." This commitment to fitness is part of what makes Bessette stand out at the community she just joined last September. Despite societal perceptions about aging, she embraces her age with zest, pushing against the stereotype often associated with being 100. "So much is presumed about ages, people of age... call it ageism to the hundredth degree," she remarked, highlighting the pressures and assumptions older adults face.
Bessette, who also takes issue with sexism, reflects on experiences from her past. She recalls being featured in a local Burlington Free Press article where her appearance was overemphasized rather than her professional capabilities. "Totally sexist!" she asserts, criticizing the focus on her looks as opposed to her role as Colchester’s town health officer challenging outdated gender norms.
This defiance of age and gender expectations resonates with her good friend Lise Veronneau, who proclaimed her admiration, stating, "I’m inspired by her. She lives in the present... not in the past." Their friendship is one rooted not only in shared memories but also the mutual respect for living authentically.
Bessette also has her own views about accolades as she approaches this illustrious milestone. "Congratulations? It’s like I won something!" she half-joked, reiterleasing her perspective on how society views turning 100. Mary-Ellen Longworth suggests, "I think she’s an inspiration to keep moving," reinforcing the notion of fitness as lifestyle over age. Bessette humorously rebuffs the idea of only aiming for one year after turning 100, declaring, "One hundred and one? That’s hardly a goal!"
With remarks about targeting 105 instead, she embodies hope and aspiration for many, proving age isn’t just about the number but about the quality of life lived. Both Bessette and the honored veterans remind us of the beauty, wisdom, and strength found within these significant milestones.
The veterans' ceremony and Bessette's vibrant outlook mark important reminders for all generations: celebrating life's longevity is not just about age but also about gratitude, community, and meaningful engagement with life as it is lived.