ELLENSBURG, Wash. — A senior living center in Ellensburg is celebrating the birthday of a local World War II veteran with
friends, family, and even community members making an
appearance.

Ernest Altice or commonly known as Ernie, celebrated his
102nd birthday Monday at Pacifica Senior Living Ellensburg,
a place he’s been at since January 1.

Altice served in the Navy as a radio technician first class
from 1942 to 1946 in World War II.

Just like Ernie had the honor of serving in the Navy, Pacifica
Senior Living has had the privilege of serving him.

Near the end of a weeklong national salute to Americans who
served in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 
was dedicated in Washington, D.C. after a march to its site by
thousands of veterans of the conflict.

The long-awaited memorial was a simple V-shaped black-granite
wall inscribed with the names of the 57,939 Americans who died
in the conflict, arranged in order of death, not rank, as was
common in other memorials.

The designer of the memorial was Maya Lin, a Yale University architecture student who entered a nationwide competition to
create a design for the monument.         
        
        
        
        
        
       
Designer and sculptor Maya Ying Lin (64)

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WJAR) — A World War II veteran
was honored Saturday at a chess tournament in East
Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Lou Giarrusso (above) celebrated his 100th birthday at the
Once-in-a-Lifetime Inaugural Championship Cup Event at the
New England Institute of Technology.

Giarrusso started playing in 1963, and he is a Guinness
World Record holder for the oldest chess player to
compete.

Giarrusso was presented with a chessboard birthday 
ake (below), plaques and certificates, and a trophy
for his achievements in chess.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana man who is the oldest living World
War II veteran in the United States has marked his 112th birthday.

Lawrence Brooks celebrated Sunday with a drive-by party at his
New Orleans home hosted by the National World War II Museum,
The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported. He
also received greetings from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards,
who tweeted, “Mr. Brooks, the entire state of Louisiana thanks
you for your service and we all wish you a joyous birthday.”

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a US holiday observed annually
on March 29th to recognize veterans who served in the U.S. military
during the Vietnam War. On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed
the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017.