A small celebration was held Thursday in North Bay, Ont., for Morris Jackson, who recently turned 100 years old and is one of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War.
The Royal Canadian Legion presented Jackson with a display of the medals he earned throughout his years of service.
He said he is proud of several things: his good friends, the air in his lungs and his accomplishments in life. Something he’s extra fond of is being a Canadian veteran.
“I’m proud of what I did,” Jackson said.
Born in Sherbrooke, Que., he moved to North Bay in 1980, where he marked his 100th birthday on Jan. 5. Jackson made a special request as part of his birthday bash.
He asked Jerry Firlotte, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 225 Branch services officer, to make him a display of his service medals.
“Mr. Jackson actually said he would pay for them. But I didn’t want to do that because he’s a veteran and we were trying to help our veterans out as much as we can,” Firlotte said.
“It lifts my heart and makes me feel good. There’s nothing that makes me feel better just helping a fellow veteran.”
He saw the display for the first time Thursday morning, something he said was a moment that brought him joy.
The display includes all medals Jackson earned during his years of service, different pins, a medal from the legion celebrating his 100th birthday and a folded Canadian flag.
“It was just wonderful,” Jackson said.
He was a wireless radio operator at a Newfoundland station manned by the Royal Navy, before the Royal Canadian Navy assumed command of it. His job was to send and receive messages from ships out to sea.
“Everything was coded and then sent to the decoding people for whatever action had to be taken,” Jackson said.
“You couldn’t meet a finer gentleman if you tried. He’s always got a smile on his face.”
— Rick Emms, long time friend
After the war, he served as an army reservist. He was stationed at the armoury, where he had to attend classes and summer exercises.
Looking back, he said that being able to live 100 healthy years continues to amaze him.
“That’s something you only do once in your life,” Jackson laughed.
“The secret is don’t die.”
Jackson celebrated the special day with his close friends and Lakeshore Drive apartment neighbours.
“You couldn’t meet a finer gentleman if you tried. He’s always got a smile on his face,” said Rick Emms, Jackson’s long-time friend.
“We travel around together to the different coffee shops. We’re both in wheelchairs. So, we fly around the streets and have a good time.”
Another friend, John Stillinger, said Jackson has earned a lot of respect from everyone he meets.
“He’s a great guy,” Stillinger said.
“We have laughs. We joke around and we always talk about sports.”
Jackson’s message to the next generation? Find ways to serve your country.
“I would encourage other young people to do the same thing I did,” he said.
“I have no regrets.”
