The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1741 honored one of its oldest and most revered members with a patriotic birthday bash Monday.

Amid smiles, hugs and handshakes sat Paul Myers, a newly celebrated centenarian who enjoyed the moment in a reunion with family and friends at Auburn’s Parkside Retirement Center.

“I’m glad to be here,” he said softly between bites of cake and ice cream.

At 100, the World War II veteran is believed to be the oldest living member of Auburn’s active post. Myers has been a VFW Post 1741 member since 1945, when he was honorably discharged from the Army.

Myers, a longtime Auburnite, served as a mechanic who helped maintain the powerful, piston-powered P-47 Thunderbolt fighter as it ran supreme over European skies during WWII.

The new U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Program honored the man for his outstanding service two years ago. VFW Post 1741 recommended him for the honor.

In England, Myers spent two years tending U.S. planes before taking part in the invasion of France.

“Our boat sank on the beach, so we marched through the surf,” Myers said of D-Day during a January 2010 interview with the Auburn Reporter. “Where I was at the Germans didn’t show up; they were supposed to, but they didn’t.”

Myers recalled the bursting of shells and the percussive of artillery, but added, “If I was ever shot at, I don’t remember it.”

Myers kept busy maintaining planes as allied forces advanced through the French countryside. He was on the French-German border near the remains of the famous Remagen Bridge over the Rhine River when news reached him that the Germans had surrendered.

Following his discharge, Myers returned to Auburn and married Gladys Agee. Myers worked for Boeing, did construction jobs and worked on the Alaskan Pipeline. The couple moved back to Auburn to stay in the mid-1970s.

Myers retired from construction but continued to travel and see the world until age 90.

“I’ve had a good life,” he said, “and I’m proud of what we did.”