World War II vet turns 100 Sunday
Family, friends give Oleamon Merritt a big tribute Friday
“We owe and our nation owes a great deal of gratitude to Mr. Merritt and his generation — ‘The Greatest Generation’ — not only for their dedication and valuable service to our country, but for their public service when they came back home.” —Mayor Bob Bruggeman
TEXARKANA, Texas — Having survived 13 presidential administrations, along with an entire world war, Texas-side resident Oleamon Merritt may feel like he’s lived an entire century. And guess what? He has.
Dozens of Merritt’s fellow Retreat at Kenwood Senior Adult Assisted Living Center residents, along with Texarkana, Texas, Mayor Bob Bruggeman, turned out for an outside undera-tent celebration of Merritt’s 100th birthday, Friday.
Beside touching more then a dozen presidential administrations, Merritt’s niece, Texas-side resident Judy Merritt Davis, said her uncle (who will actually turn 100 years old on Sunday) has outlived three wives and both his younger brothers.
Merritt was deployed by the U.S. Army to Europe in World War II where he made it through the Battle of the Bulge, along with other battles in France, Germany and Belgium.
“I remember Uncle Oleamon telling me his army unit was moving toward the town of Bastone (in Belgium) from one side, while Gen. Patton was leading his forces toward Bastone from the other side,” his niece said.
As Merritt stepped outside and approached the gathering of his fellow residents under the tent, they chimed “Happy Birthday to You,” as a leadin to Bruggeman’s Birthday Proclamation for this centenarian.
“The town of Texarkana, Texas, recognizes with admiration, the contributions of our centenarians and veterans and we honor Mr, Oleamon Merritt for his long life and prosperity.”
Born in Roxton, Texas, March 7, 1921, Merritt joined the U.S. Army in 1943 before being deployed overseas to engage in military campaigns in both France and Germany. This effort earned him for Bronze Stars.
Merritt returned home to live in Paris, Texas, where he went to work for Campbell Soup before retiring in 1981. He eventually moved to Texarkana in June of 2018.
“We owe and our nation owes a great deal of gratitude to Mr. Merritt and his generation — ‘The Greatest Generation’ — not only for their dedication and valuable service to our country, but for their public service when they came back home,” Bruggeman said. “Mr. Merritt continued to serve his community in a variety of ways, including as a member of the Kiwanis Club. His service is inspiration to all of us.”