WWII veteran with colorful life celebrates 100th birthday

Herbert St. Romain Jr. has spent his life protecting and serving others. At 100, he stays active, and on Sunday, he celebrated his centennial birthday with over 60 family and friends at Hotel Bentley.

"It was partly family but mostly acquaintances who have known him for years," said his son Paul St. Romain. He also received written acknowledgements, including one from Gov. John Bel Edwards.

The location of St. Romain's party was the perfect fit for the veteran since the historic hotel houses an exhibit on World War II.

It was also where Herbert was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government for his service, said Paul. The French Consulate General in New Orleans came to Alexandria to present him with the highest French order of merit for military and civil service.

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Herbert, a Bolton High School graduate, served in the Louisiana National Guard in 1939. Later on when his unit was activated, he served in the European Theater during World War II. He is the only surviving member of his National Guard unit.

"He was a truck driver during the Louisiana Maneuvers," said Paul. The Louisiana Maneuvers took place in 1941 in Central Louisiana to train thousands of troops for World War II.

After his unit was activated, Herbert became active duty Army and served in the European Theater. He was assigned to administrative duties for a hospital group.

"And he was in England during D-Day, and they were treating the wounded coming off of D-Day," said Paul. "After the war progressed inland, they moved to Leige, Belgium and he spent the remainder of the war there. They were treating the wounded coming off the Battle of the Bulge as well."

He told his son that the Nazis dropped over 100 V-1, or "buzz bombs", over Leige. He had some close calls but was never wounded.

Herbert also helped Holocaust survivors while serving. Later, he helped establish the Holocaust Memorial on Second and Fourth streets in downtown Alexandria near Rapides Regional Medical Center in 2012.

In 2017, he was among 47 veterans who were flown to Washington, D.C., by Honor Flight, a group that takes veterans to see the national monuments honoring their service.

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"It was really a highlight for him to go over there and meet the other veterans who were on that trip from other states as well," said Paul, who is a Vietnam veteran and accompanied his father. "And also to see the memorials in Washington."

After the war, Herbert returned home and became a fireman with the Alexandria Fire Department. After 30 years, he retired as an assistant fire chief.

Herbert was married to the late Helena Vidrine St. Romain for over 50 years. She died in 2010. They had four children: Paul St. Romain, Debbie St. Romain Head, Edmund St. Romain and the late Helen Ann St. Romain; and two grandchildren, Arlette St. Romain and Michael Head.

Even at 100, he lives on his own in Lecompte near his son Paul. A caretaker, Elizabeth Sherman, comes by to make his meals and clean up.

"He's got his own little place and he's got his garden," said Paul. "He was out watering okra last week."

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: WWII veteran with colorful life celebrates 100th birthday