COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (NewsNation) — A Colorado community came together to celebrate the 100th birthday of a cherished World War II veteran.
Dozens of people spent their Saturday morning driving by Eleanor Burkey’s home to honor the centenarian who served as a WWII nurse from 1943 to 1946. She was stationed in Alaska and tended to injured pilots and serviceman.
NewsNation affiliate KXRM asked Burkey how she was feeling. “Really old,” answered Burkey with a smile.
The drive-by procession included convertibles, vintage cars, SUVs and motorcycles decked out with colorful balloons, patriotic flags and signs. The Colorado Springs Fire Department and Colorado Springs Police Department also participated.
There was plenty of food, music and photos to commemorate the occasion. Many well-wishers dropped off brithday cards for Burkey.
“That my mom has been able to live through 100 years, it’s a really tribute to her health, and how she’s taken care of herself and taken care of all of us kids,” said son Patrick Burkey. “We’re all a very healthy family and it had a lot to do with our mom and how she brought us up.”