‘I’m here to survive’: WWII vet celebrates turning 100 years old

The Edmonton Veterans Association Food Bank celebrated volunteer Martin Jones ahead of his 100th birthday on Friday.

“The gun barrels got so hot you had to bury them in sand.”

Marty Jones told a few stories about his time in the Second World War to people at his 100th birthday celebration, hosted by the Veterans Association Food Bank (VAFB), on Tuesday morning.

He was born in Lamont, Alta., and grew up in Lashburn, Sask. - serving with his brothers as a volunteer reservist in the Royal Canadian Navy, where he was involved in the Juno Beach landings in 1944.

“We just got the job done as fast as we could and got out,” Jones said, remembering how they made it out of the war.

Lindsay Mac, food program manager at VAFB, said taking the time to celebrate one of their oldest members is “big and meaningful.”

“Marty and his family sacrificed a lot for us during their career in the military … and it’s really nice to take the time to celebrate him,” she told CTV News Edmonton during the festivities.

“Something huge like turning 100 – this doesn’t happen every day.”

Mac said a colleague asked Jones how he made it to the centennial milestone and his answer was to be kind to everyone.

“To be able to take a moment and recognize somebody who sacrificed so much and can still come in here and put a big smile on his face and bring a smile to all of us, it’s really touching memories,” she described of the occasion.

The VAFB helps Canadian Forces veterans, RCMP veterans, and active military members by providing food and emergency financial assistance if they need help making ends meet.

“We really try to do everything we can to support Canadian veterans and give back for what they’ve given for us,” Mac said, adding the VAFB is always in need of cash donations and non-perishable food for their hamper program.

According to Mac, about 70 people attended the birthday party and a blanket was presented to Jones through the Quilts of Valour program.

• Download our app to get Edmonton alerts on your device

Jones said he doesn’t bear any grudges to his former opponents in the war.

“We’re all in the seniors place I’m in now,” Jones said. “Some older people, they’re from Germany and I said, ‘Well, the war is over now. You people are my friends.’”

“You know I’m here to survive.”

He added that the celebration with other veterans and current military members is a special reminder as they celebrate his 100th birthday a few days early.

“We’re all in the same leaky boat. We patch each other’s water holes. We work together and we bring the young people up with us in love and caring.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Klippenstein