100-year-old World War II vet gets crucial ID
ALBANY — A 100-yearold World War II veteran who served in the Navy and earned three medals for his outstanding accomplishments in the Pacific Theater has received a crucial document and secure housing with the help of Assemblyman Phil Steck, DColonie, his office said last week.
George T. Jenkins lived independently until recently when he became hospitalized after falling ill, according to Steck. Once he recovered, he was told he could not be released until he had satisfactory housing. He planned to move into the senior apartment complex where his daughters live, but the complex would only accept him if he had government-issued photo identification, Steck said.
Jenkins was born in 1922, when it was common for Black citizens to not be issued a birth certificate, Steck’s statement said. Jenkins had an unnecessarily difficult time obtaining the required photo ID and was forced to spend much longer in the hospital.
“I’m glad George Jenkins and his family reached out so this issue could finally be resolved,”said Steck, who noted that he is the son of a Word War II veteran. “Though it is an injustice that he was denied the necessary documentation early in his life, I am proud to be able to correct it.”
When Jenkins was escorted to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Albany, he was greeted by staff and state DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. After his official photo was taken, all in attendance celebrated by singing the refrain of a popular song from 1942, the time of Jenkins’ service.
In the statement, Stella Jenkins, George’s daughter, thanked Steck and the state officials.
“All we wanted was for my father to be with us. Yet, there were so many barriers we encountered while trying to procure an ID for him. As soon as we contacted Mr. Steck’s office and DMV got involved, my father had his first photo ID. It was the best holiday gift we could have asked for,” she said