MILLSBORO, Del. - The community came together on Monday to honor WWII veteran, Tom Creekmore, for his 97th birthday, which falls on Pearl Harbor Remembrance day.
Members of the community, including the Long Neck Rotary Club, Indian River Fire Company, American Legion Post 28, held a drive-by celebration for Creekmore.
"Oh it was wonderful! Everybody was so nice and wished me a happy birthday, I wish they could all stay longer,” said Creekmore.
Creekmore’s girlfriend, Rita, wanted to do something special for his birthday.
"She said 'Jim I sure wish somebody would organize a drive by for Tom's birthday.’ I said give me a couple hours and I will call you back. I made a phone call to the local rotary club and a few friends and before you know it we were off and running,” said Jim Ruth who volunteers for Meals on Wheels.
Creekmore served in the 8th Army Air Force during the second World War.
Tom Creekmore
"The 8th Air Force that I flew with, we lost 26,000 men, and that's who I think of today,” said Creekmore.
As a radio operator on a B-17 bomber, Creekmore and his B-17 crew were one of the 200 crews that flew 6,000 Allied prisoners of war out of German prison camps a few days after WWII ended.
Between 75 to 80 cars came through Creekmore’s neighborhood, and he also received two other special gifts, a certificate for his outstanding service from American Legion Post 28 and a quilt of valor.
"What am I going to do for my birthday? Have a piece of pizza!" said Creekmore.
Rita says Creekmore wrote in his journal every night during WWII. She says those journal entries will be published in a book very soon.