WWII Veteran: 103 Years Young
WWII Veteran Anne Reeside in her Army uniform (circa: 1945).
Ms. Anne Reeside celebrated her 103rd Birthday with her favorite things: family, friends, chicken wings, and cake at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Community Living Center.
Ms. Reeside was born during a turbulent time in the world, July 22, 1914, just six days before the official start of WWI. Her military life began in a similar fashion, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, which swept America into World War II.
“The attack on Pearl Harbor is what motivated me to answer the call to serve my country,” Reeside recalls. “I wanted to help the war effort and keep our country safe.”
Reeside’s first duty station was at Camp Crowder, Missouri, where she nursed soldiers who were getting ready to go overseas and tended to German prisoners-of-war, who were also housed at the base.
Taking care of others comes naturally to Reeside, she is still known for checking on her fellow residents in the CLC every day.
“The secret to living this long is to stay busy and help others as much as you can,” said Reeside. As long as there is something that needs to be done, or someone who needs help, I am going to keep on moving forward.”
Reeside has been a resident of the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center since April 2013.
“I love being busy,” Reeside said. “I love baseball, animals, especially dogs, shopping, helping others and being around all my friends in the CLC.”
