13+ hour, 19+ min ago (56+ words) For many veterans, experiencing a war together creates a special bond, but eight decades after World War II, two veterans are just starting to form their own. WCCO's John Lauritsen shares the story of a friendship 81 years in the making. World War II veterans meet, discover they went to same POW camp 81 years ago...

14+ hour, 3+ min ago (49+ words) A WWII veteran who lives in Roseville, Joseph Peterburs, celebrated his 101st birthday on Nov. 24, 2025. Online users shared a meme falsely claiming, "Fun fact: This famous picture of first lady ... A WWII veteran who lives in Roseville, Joseph Peterburs, celebrated his 101st birthday on Nov. 24, 2025....

15+ hour, 55+ min ago (738+ words) There's "no trick" to living to be 105, said Julia Plasko. Clean living might have helped, said her daughter, Cindy Levo. Plasko never drank, and never smoked. But she's managed to fit in a lot more in her 105 years, from serving in World War II to decades of contributions to the community. Plasko and her five siblings grew up in Nemacolin, where their father was a coal miner. Levo grew up hearing the stories about life in the house during the Great Depression. "Your grandma would get flour to bake with, and then the flour came in pretty sacks, pretty colored cloth, and your mom would make dresses out of that for you," she recalled to Plasko during an interview last week. The family still has the wooden refrigerator Plasko used as a child. After graduating from Carmichaels-Cumberland High School in…...

23+ hour, 3+ min ago (134+ words) A 100-year-old WWII veteran and a Harley-Davidson What could link a veteran of the Great Patriotic War with an American motorcycle? That's right! War. They might seem incompatible, but only if you are not acquainted with Grigory Mikhailovich Bokarev from Krasny Luch in the LPR. He truly turned 100 this year. Despite his advanced age, the veteran is in good spirits: he stands on his own two, albeit with a cane, and is of sound mind and memory. Speaking of memory. As Grigory Mikhailovich recalls, he spent his youth on the front lines with the 2nd Belorussian Front. He served in a separate reconnaissance motorcycle battalion. (You see a parallel with the current military operations?) His trusted steed was the famous American Harley-Davidson. Next February, Grigory Mikhailovich will turn 101....

23+ hour, 4+ min ago (758+ words) I wondered'how I could afford costly Botox injections so that I could keep my youthful glow forever. Hey, I'm only human. I knew I couldn't avoid every sign of aging, but I wanted to put up a good fight.'When my aunt recently got carded for buying a bottle of wine, though, she rejoiced on social media. And do you know what? Not too many folks cared about her youthful looks. Conversely, a goofy picture of her in a political T-shirt garnered a flurry of likes and heart emojis. Why? The'people who care about you'don't want to see you fretting over something you can't change,'like getting older. They'do,'however, want to witness your personal and professional accomplishments. Your spirit and successes speak to who you are more loudly than the way you look does. Ground Picture via Shutterstock Youthful…...

1+ day, 34+ min ago (1103+ words) World War II veteran Tolley Fletcher, left, talks with Andrea Pizza, a member of the Victory Belles, before the Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day commemoration ceremony at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Tolley Fletcher, 104, eased into his recliner, his television unsurprisingly set on country music, in the den in the house he built in 1979 offering a sense of comfort and serenity. His eyes that have borne witness to more than a century of living remain alert, his voice strong, his gentleness genuine. "Overall, a good life," said Fletcher, who four years ago lost his wife, Lorna. "I am well satisfied." He has lived in Washington D.C., Maryland and Illinois before returning to Denham Springs, where he still lives in the 1,600-square-foot house he, Lorna and his son built on a 3.5-acre lot. Along the way, he has…...

1+ day, 51+ min ago (254+ words) TYLER, Texas " Jean Thedford, who turned 101 on Sunday, celebrated her big day alongside friends and family at Tyler's Atria Willow Park. There were hugs, kisses, and of course, lots of cake. When Jean born in 1924, Calvin Coolidge was the sitting president. She might be older, but her son, David, says her memory is still sharp. "She can carry on a conversation with you," he said. "(She'll) tell you things that happened yesterday and some that happened 90 years ago. It's amazing." Jean says her good health is thanks to her staying away from drinking and smoking. Another tip from Jean to help you live a good life is to dress appropriately and buy good clothes. "Some people don't dress very good," she said. "All of my clothes are old, but it's better than what you can buy today." Jean credits her…...

1+ day, 2+ hour ago (977+ words) Anoka resident and World War II veteran Stan Nelson gets ready to unveil a POW/MIA Monument Sept. 23 at the Veterans Memorial Park of Blaine in honor of his brother, Edor Nelson, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Edor Nelson was captured by the Germans in October 20, 1944, and sent to a POW camp in Poland. He escaped from the camp in April 1945. If you didn't know him, it would be hard to believe it all. He served in World War II in the first wave of D-Day at the Invasion of Normandy, was a three-sport standout in college athletics, at one point won 33 games in a row as Anoka's head football coach, captured a 1964 state championship and was named to more than a handful of halls of fame. To those who knew him, though, those were just a…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (238+ words) Massachusetts" oldest man and its oldest living military veteran died Nov. 16 in Canton at 108 years old. Morris "Morry" Casso was also the 15th oldest man in the United States at the time of his death and had survived cancer. Known for his sense of humor, Casso often shared stories from his childhood. His family recalled one favorite: "His mother, a Russian Jewish immigrant, called him "Bubbeleh" so much that it wasn"t until his first day of school, at the age of 5, that he learned his name was Morris." Following retirement, Casso dedicated himself to community service. He worked as a Massachusetts Ombudsman, helping resolve issues for residents in nursing homes. He volunteered for nearly 20 years at New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton and was active in several organizations, including the Knights of Pythias and the Sharon Men"s Club. He…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (1139+ words) Morry Casso was a private first class in the Army, stationed in India during World War II, when he wrote to Priscilla, an 11-year-old Mattapan girl who was part of his extended family. She was the sister of his brother's wife and had sent him a letter. In his reply, he explained why he was so far from home. "I wonder if you know the reason your Uncle Sam sends his boys all over the world," Mr. Casso, who grew up in Roxbury, wrote in a letter the Boston Traveler published as part of a news article in February 1944. "Perhaps it is because he wants you to worship your God as you see fit," he wrote, adding that perhaps Uncle Sam "wants you to speak your mind without fear of imprisonment; perhaps he wants you to read the truth rather…...