104-Year-Old World War II Veteran Receives 1,000 Birthday Cards From Across The Globe

Feb 17, 2023 by apost team

Veterans are being honored across the world for the sacrifices they have made for their respective countries – and rightly so. Not only did they dedicate their lives to their field, but they also sacrificed so much for their families. But not many people reach the age of 100. Indeed, people who have lived for a century deserve to get special celebrations. After all, it’s not often that you’ll get to see someone reach that age. What more if a person lives on for another year or two past the age of 100? Well, a man from Virginia, USA, did – and he sure had the best birthday celebration he would never ever forget.

Orland Phillips, a 104-year-old veteran who served as a machinist during the Second World War, received hundreds of birthday cards on his 103rd day thanks to his daughter.  

In an interview with WCSC in February 2022, Philips’ daughter Mary Hodge revealed that they had asked people before to send cards for his father and received an immensely great response. But since her father will reach a new milestone in his life, they decided to do it again – only this time, it’s more than a hundred cards now.

“We have done it a couple years before and had a pretty good response, but this year we decided 103 would be a really good idea to get 103 cards,” she said.

Much to their surprise, they received more than just a hundred cards. In fact, they received a thousand birthday cards across the country.  

Phillips, in the same interview, admitted that he didn’t expect to receive so many cards on his birthday. “I don’t know what to think about all that many cards,” Phillips said.

Then again, Phillips promised that he would make sure to read all the cards sent his way. “I have been working on reading them. I read every one of them,” he said.

But one could certainly tell how Phillips appreciated the cards he received every day as he kept track of them, including where they came from. He and his family even decided to book catalog everything, sorting them out so they could easily identify them. He has so far received 45 out of 50 states in the US and four other countries.

“It is a good pastime, I am glad to see them,” Philipps admitted.

WCSC, in a report, revealed that most of the cards Phillips received had the message that said: “Wishing you all the best, and thank you for your service.”

As a way of giving back, Hodge said they would also send a card to every person who has reached his father’s age or even those that are older than him. Expressing his gratitude to everyone who made an effort to send him a card, Phillips said: “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Meanwhile, Hodge made sure to honor her father as she penned a sweet message for her father, who turned 104 on Feb. 5, 2023.

“You are still looking good! Keeping it low-key again this year, gotta keep him healthy. Love you,” Hodge said.

Other people who had the chance to personally come to know Phillips also greeted him.

“Your dad is amazing, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity that I have had to get to know him!” one person said.

“He’s such an amazing man. And so full of knowledge,” another person said.  

apost.com

Do you also know someone who reached the same age as Orland Phillips? How did you feel about his daughter’s surprise? Let us know what you think, and pass this on to your family and friends who might find this story interesting!