Joliet WWII Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday

(The following news release was submitted by Reena Tandon, Communications Department, Senate Democrats Caucus Staff.)

JOLIET, IL - State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, a Shorewood Democrat, was honored to congratulate Leon O’Brien on his 100^th birthday Friday, Feb. 2 at Rosewood Care Center of Joliet. "On Friday, Bertino-Tarrant congratulated O’Brien on achieving the milestone and thanked him for his service to the country," the press release stated.

O’Brien was born Feb. 2, 1918 to John Henry O’Brien and Clara Eve Bertrand in Reddick, Ill. He is a distinguished World War II veteran who served as a United States Army T-Sergeant in North Africa and Italy. On Aug. 23, 1941 he married Velma Hunt, his sweetheart of 77 years. Velma is 99 years young. The photo accompanying this article shows Leon O'Brien seated with his wife Velma. Senator Bertino-Tarrant is standing second from the left along with other members of the O'Brien family.

Image via Reena Tandon