QUINCY, ILL. -- Cletus Logsdon was a teenager when he went off to serve in the United States Army during World War II.
But on March 8, 2012, it came full circle as members of the U.S. Army helped celebrate his 88th birthday.
You see, Logsdon visits the Army recruiting station in Quincy a few times a week and has developed a friendship with the soldiers in the office.
When they found out his birthday was getting close, SFC David Krum decided to organize a small party as Logsdon was celebrating his 88th birthday on the 8th.
So as family and friends started to gather for his surprise party, he had no idea what he was in store for. When the door opened, Logsdon was greeted with a surprise and an impromptu rendition of Happy Birthday.
Logsdon served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 and he saw action at the Battle of Bulge. And after he came home from the war he worked at a factory in Keokuk, Iowa.
"The term veteran, it doesn't matter if it was 100 years ago or tomorrow, it's nice to be able to still give back to somebody who paved the way for us newer soldiers. A lot of what they did is what made the Army what it is today," said Krum.
The team at the recruiting station put together a memory book and even a shadow box for Logsdon. They say it's their way of giving back to the men that served before them and a way to honor their veteran.
"They really surprised me and I am grateful for what they did. They're a bunch of good guys and I like to visit them here," said Logsdon.
Logsdon admitted he was surprised and somewhat speechless by the party. But he said he's still going to make sure he makes his regular visits to his new friends where the word veteran knows no boundaries.