CARBONDALE (KSNT) - A Kansas native and World War II veteran will turn 100-years-old Monday.
Sylvester Lira was born in Osage City on Dec. 30, 1924. When Japanese military forces attacked Pearl Harbor nearly 17 years later, Lira decided to enlist in the Navy. There was just one problem.
"He went to Kansas City, had to ask for directions on the street where to sign up for the military," Lira's son Paul said. "They took him in, gave him his physical and found out he was only 16 and wouldn't take him."
The Navy officials told Sylvester to be on the next bus to boot camp in January, and so he was. He wasn't exactly forthright with his family when he took off.
"I told my mother I was going into town... ended up in Kansas City joining the Navy!" Sylvester said. "They didn't know where I was at 'til I told 'em where I was at. In boot camp up North."
He didn't see his family again until the end of the war in 1945 when he was honorably discharged. He started working for the Sante Fe Railroad, married and settled down in Carbondale.
"My mom told my dad she would not marry him unless he had a house that was paid for," Paul said. "And so, he bought a house."
According to Paul, his dad lived in that house for nearly 80 years until he moved last May. Sylvester said he never even thought about leaving Kansas.
"When I got married, my wife was from Carbondale," he said. "She wanted to live here so we lived in Carbondale."
Despite living to be 100, Paul said his dad isn't showing many signs of slowing down.
"He only stopped driving not quite a year ago," Paul said, "and the only reason he quit driving was because he got his insurance bill and he says, 'I'm not gonna pay that bill!'"
More than 150 well-wishers showed up to Sylvester's birthday party. The Osage City native said he doesn't have much to complain about. He still feels good and enjoys spending time with his dog, Ida.
"I've had a full life," Sylvester said. "I really have. I sure thank the Lord that let me live this long."
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