NEWTOWN, Conn. — A celebration was held Thursday for Sgt. Will Petrone's 101st birthday.
Friends and family gathered Thursday to honor the Newtown man. He was presented him with a medal of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara. This honor and celebration happened on the anniversary of his brother's death in World War II.
Petrone said, "I was proud to be one of the lucky guys serving our country; one of the lucky ones, you know."
In World War II, Petrone served as a sergeant in the Army. He lead 10 men in the 751st Field Artillery Battalion. He was boots on the ground in Europe for many operations, including the Battle of the Bulge.
He is the only one still alive from his battalion. Talking about his time in the service is something his family says he just started doing in the last 10 years.
Fighting in the war at just 19 years old can change your perspective on life... But Will always held this one close to his heart.
He said, "The world is like a mirror reflecting what you do. If you face it smiling, it will smile back at you. My father had it on a sign, and he used to say to us, 'Read the sign on the way in and the way out.'"
It is a saying his father had hanging in the hallway of their home. One that over 80 years later Will still knows by heart.
After the war ended, Petrone came home and opened a bar.
He eventually met his wife Antoinette, got married and had three children.
So... What is his secret to living this long?
"Stay happy; don't let the little things bother you," Petrone said.
Petrone enjoys a cigar or two every day at home in Maplewood Senior Living. He also irons his own clothes and makes his bed each day.
His goal is to live to be 107 years old!
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Alexa Farrell is a reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at afarrell@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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