Local veteran reigns in 100th birthday at the Warplane Heritage Museum

A local World War II veteran reigned in his 100th birthday on Sunday surrounded by friends and family at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

“I woke up this morning and said I’m a hundred years old and I remembered when I was 15.”

George Stewart flew 50 operations in a plane known as the mosquito with the number 23 squadron between July and November, 1944.

“It weighed 11 tonnes and I started flying it when I was 21, no when I was 20.”

He has become a familiar face at the museum over the years. His friends and family gathered their to celebrate the milestone birthday sharing cake and memories.

“All the family is here which is really really important to us. Yes it’s really nice. They’ve flown in and we really appreciate the effort they made to come.” said his wife, Marion.

When asked about his secret for a long life, George divulged what he believes has led to him reaching 100 years.

“I never smoked, and I believe for that very reason, I’m alive today.”

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