WW II-era Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday

Orea Erickson is usually pretty shy and unassuming and keeps to himself, but on April 2, he was the center of attention at the senior living community where he has lived for nearly five years.

The U.S. Army veteran turned 100 years old on April 2.

Team members at The Waters of Savage at Fen Pointe put on a big party to celebrate with dozens of his friends and neighbors, one of his daughters, and several local dignitaries turned out to make it a day to remember.

“The people from the community were all singing Happy Birthday to him, the Legion came and they gave him a flag and a Hy-Vee gift card, and he received a blanket with a flag on it and a framed picture of the ship that he came home on from Japan. I think he was just in awe. He was sort of speechless just taking it all in,” said his daughter, Linda Caterina, who attended the party.

Caterina lives in Lakeville and traveled to Savage for the occasion. Several family members unable to make it called and spoke with Erickson during the party or visited with him via FaceTime.

Erickson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945, right after the end of World War II. After basic training in Alabama, he traveled to Camp Stoneman in San Francisco on a troop train. Two weeks later, he was sent to Japan.

He was part of the U.S. contingent that led the Allies in the occupation and rehabilitation of the Japanese state. Erickson served in the 27th Infantry called the Wolfhounds at regimental headquarters in the S1 Division. He did office duties as a court martial clerk and was given that position because he could type.

While on furlough for a few days, he met his future wife. He and Marjorie were married on Sept. 4, 1948. The couple had eight children and were married for just shy of 62 years. Marjorie passed away in 2010.

In addition to his eight children, Erickson today has 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and another one on the way.

Erickson is looking forward to a big family party to celebrate his 100th birthday this summer in Lakeville.