World War II veteran Joe D’Emidio of Bristol recently celebrated his 101st birthday at Parx Casino in Bensalem, arriving in a special motorcade escort, reports Katie Katro for 6abc.
D’Emidio enlisted in the Navy when he was a teenager and reflected on his time in service at the celebration.
He was among those who landed in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, helping transport troops from the ships to the beach.
D’Emidio returned home after the war and had three children with his wife. Now, he has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Dyane D’Emidio, Joe’s daughter, noted that every day with him is a gift and the family takes every opportunity to honor him.
“He went and did this war at such a young age, came out of it, brushed himself off, raised a beautiful family, gave us the best education,” she said.
For D’Emidio, the secret to a long life is to simply keep breathing, a motto his family has adopted.
“Ninety-nine percent of the things you worry about never happen,” he said.
Learn more about Bristol’s Joe D’Emidio, his inspirational story and his secret to a long life at 6abc.
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