VA Maryland Health Care System

Veteran Celebrates 101st Birthday at the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center

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Dennis H. Smith, Director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, congratulates Weldon Jackson, a World War II Army veteran and a resident at the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center, during his 101st birthday party.

Weldon Jackson, a World War II Army veteran who is a resident at the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center, celebrated his 101st birthday with special a party on Tuesday, April 15.

During a casual conversation between Jackson and his nurse Willie Robinson, Jackson mentioned that he would be 101 years old soon.  On that note, Robinson began to plan a cook-out style birthday bash in honor of the veteran – who happens to love hamburgers.

Jackson served in the Army from 1943 to 1945, where he traveled to France and England during World War II.   One of eight siblings, Jackson retired from his janitorial job at the Peabody Institute in the early 1970s.  A native Baltimorean, Jackson still enjoys cheering for his hometown Orioles.

The guest of honor, his family and fellow residents and staff members at the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center enjoyed a menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and all the fixings complete with a 101st birthday cake.  Dennis H. Smith, Director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, and Sanford M Garfunkel, Director of the VA Capitol Health Care Network, were also in attendance to commend Jackson for his service and wish him the best on his 101st birthday.

Jackson lived with his only granddaughter before coming to the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center last summer.  At the party, his granddaughter expressed her gratitude to the staff for their service.  “When you took my grandfather in, you saved two lives,” stated Jackson’s granddaughter, Patricia Cochran.  “You saved him and me and I’m so grateful for all you’ve done.”