WW2 veteran turns 100: Here's how the Edgewater resident's milestone was celebrated.
EDGEWATER ― The number of living World War II veterans continues to dwindle, with just 119,550 left as of last year out of the 16.1 million who served in the U.S. military, according to the National World War II Museum.
On Saturday, one of them, Arthur E. Hobbs, celebrated his 100th birthday with a surprise party thrown for him by family and friends at the American Legion Post 285 at 4497 U.S. 1 in Edgewater.
"He thinks we're just going out to dinner," said his daughter Linda Olszowka on Saturday morning a few hours before the afternoon party.
Olszowka said her family arranged to have Hobbs picked up in a rented limousine from his Edgewater home. They were accompanied to the American Legion post by members of the Patriots Guard Riders of Central Florida motorcycle club as well as several Volusia County Sheriff's Department vehicles.
Hobbs, who goes by "Art," was greeted by more than 50 people who yelled "surprise" when he got out of the limo. They included daughter Barbara Hazeling, daughter-in-law Gail Hobbs, several grandchildren and their extended families. Hazeling lives in Texas. Gail Hobbs, who was married to Arthur Hobbs' late son Edwin, lives in Oklahoma.
Milestone marked by salute, commemorative pin
Arthur Hobbs was given a salute by the American Legion post's color guard.
"I'm very proud that he's come to our post. He deserves all the recognition in the world," said Kevin Doherty, commander of American Legion Post 285.
Doherty added that Hobbs' name will be added to the post's veterans wall "so he'll be remembered."
Patriot Guard Riders Captain Don "Chez" Chesbro of Port Orange presented Hobbs with a commemorative pin for completing his first "mission" with the motorcycle club.
Sheriff personally visited Hobbs
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood visited Hobbs at his home Friday to personally congratulate him on turning 100, said Hobbs' granddaughter Jackie Kennedy.
Chitwood had a scheduling conflict and was unable to attend the party on Saturday, but sent several Volusia County Sheriff's deputies in his place, Kennedy said.
Volusia County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jimmie Stone presented Hobbs with a motor unit challenge coin on Saturday to commemorate his 100th birthday.
What was his branch of service and military rank?
During his stint in the military, Hobbs was a member of Company F of the U.S. Army's 78th "Lightning" Division's second battalion of the 310th Infantry Regiment. His rank was technician fifth grade ― roughly equivalent today to corporal.
His duties in the Army included working as a cook in the kitchen for the second battalion's headquarters. He was also an infantryman and combat engineer.
Where did he serve during the war?
Hobbs participated in the military campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea and the Philippines. He earned five bronze stars, a victory medal, and ribbons for good conduct and for taking part in the liberation of the Philippines.
Where is he originally from?
Hobbs grew up in Bellaire, Ohio, a small rural community across the Ohio River from West Virginia. He worked on his family's farm until he joined the Army in June 1942, shortly after turning 18.
What did he do after the war?
Following his honorable discharge from the Army on Nov. 30, 1945, he moved to Florida, to be close to his parents who sold their farm and were living in Miami. He married his wife Rita there not long after meeting her on a blind date arranged by his mother. Rita was a co-worker of hers at Woolworth's.
The newlyweds moved to Ohio where Hobbs worked a number of jobs including a short stint with a railroad company. The couple had three children: daughters Linda and Barbara and son Edwin.
Hobbs and his young family moved back to Miami in the early 1950s where he initially worked for the Blue Flame Gas Company. He then landed the job where he would spend the rest of his career: working as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.
When did he move to Volusia County?
After his retirement, Hobbs and his wife, after spending a few years back in Ohio, settled down in Volusia County to be near Olszowka and her daughters Jackie Kennedy and JoAnne Sullivan. Olszowka, Kennedy and Sullivan all have homes in Edgewater.
Rita Hobbs died in 2011, but her husband continues to live independently in the home they shared. Olszowka checks in on him daily as his caregiver.
"I bring him dinner every day," she said, "but he still mows his lawn and takes walks every day with his dog Molly. He says 'I've got to keep moving.'"
Arthur Hobbs is a member of the American Legion as well as the Knights of Columbus Council 4934 in New Smyrna Beach. He attends mass regularly with his family at St. Gerard Catholic Church in Edgewater.
Why did he enlist?
In an interview with The Daytona Beach News-Journal in 2021, Hobbs recalled that he had never ventured far from his family's farm in Ohio until he joined the Army.
Hobbs was quickly shipped out to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for basic training, with additional stops in San Francisco and Hampton, Virginia, before boarding a ship for Australia.
"I had finished school on Friday and on Monday I was in the service," he recalled in 2021. "I was anxious to get in because my brother (George) was in the service and I wanted to be just like him."
Hobbs reflects on turning 100
On Saturday, Hobbs pulled out a memento from his wallet of his days in the Army: a leave pass he received on his last day in Australia before shipping out to New Guinea.
When asked what it was like to serve in the Army, he said, "I done what I had to do."
Asked for the secret to his longevity, he said, "I try to take care of myself. Eat right. ... It's worked out pretty good."
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: WW2 vet turns 100: Here's how the Edgewater man marked the milestone
