VERNON, CT — A great big E was not a reminder of a large country fair Thursday, but a 101st birthday tribute to a longtime Vernon resident who served his country well.
And Ed Sumski took in every last moment of it at the Vernon Senior Center.
“I was hoping to live until 96, because that’s my lucky number — always has been,” said Sumski, who incidentally, is as sharp as a tack. “I woke up the day I turned 96 and was scared, because that was my goal. Well … here I am at 101.”
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A crowd at the senior center enjoyed a cake shaped like a big E. Sumski wore a large badge, courtesy of his daughter, Jan Getz, letting everyone know just how long he’s been around.
Sumski, in a way, is the epitome of the Greatest Generation. He was 3 when Babe Ruth’s contract was sold to the Yankees. He made it through the Great Depression, went off to war and came back to apply his military skills at Pratt & Whitney. He has lived in Vernon since 1964.
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Sumski is particularly proud of his service record. He was a mechanic for the U.S. Army Air Force in the Pacific Theater in World War II. He spend a lot of time in the Philippines.
“And I served right to the end,” he said. “We worked on all planes and wherever the army went, we were right behind.”
Sumski said he was twice aboard ship on his way to invade Japan and twice he was called back because of the atomic bomb.
“That saved me,” he said. Sumski was quick to add that he also spent time getting to know the Japanese people.
“Nicest and kindest people you’d ever want to meet,” he said. “It was hard to believe they were the enemy during the war.”
His daughter said that, now that Ed is living with her, the stories are constant, but she added each one is a cherished anecdote to a life lived well that included driving a car until about two years ago.
“He’s a good guy,” Jan Getz said.
Collectively, Jan and Ed — and the entire senior center — said they are looking forward to birthday 102.
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