Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent • Photo Hoke Henson is an amazing man to a lot of people and his 100th birthday celebration brought out many to his party. Few people experience a century of the good life. Henson is still active and continues to add hours to the 876,624 he has already enjoyed.
By Anngee Quinones-Belian
Staff Correspondent
So few in life get to experience a century of hope, vision, change and outcome. On Sunday, June 22, family and friends gathered together to celebrate the 100th birthday of WWII Navy veteran, Hoke Talmadge Henson.
The Lions Pavilion at 47 Recreation Park Road was the party place for the celebration which brought out about 75 people.
Where Henson went, folks followed wishing him a happy birthday and taking advantage of photo ops with the centurion.
"I'm so, so thankful for all the friends that I have," said the former Navy firefighter. His friendships were evident with some folks having traveled from a distance in order to attend the celebration.
His greatest moment in life was, "The day I married my wife Edith in 1947," he said while looking down at his belt buckle which displayed her photo. They were married 76 years before her passing.
At 100 years of age Henson, the father of two, is not idle. He still enjoys mowing his own grass and possesses the keys to a car he still drives.
The group was talkative and happy to be participating in a party with Henson that offered games, lunch and a large sheet cake with the lit numbers 1-0-0 atop the sweet treat.
Richard Millett of the Veteran Services Office in Murphy and Bob Strawhecker, commander of American Legion Post 96 in Murphy, were present at the party, each with a gift for Henson.
Millett presented Henson with a “Happy Birthday” certificate signed by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) representing North Carolina's 11th District. Edwards also thanked Henson for his military service.
Strawhecker bestowed upon Henson, seaman first class, a plaque of appreciation for his military service from Dec. 11, 1943 to July 31, 1946. Honorable awards include a World War II victory metal and American area campaign medal.