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VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) recently honored a 100-year-old World War II Veteran, presenting the former B-24 Liberator tail gunner with stacks of greeting cards from

well-wishers. Army Air Forces Veteran Peter Ladisic celebrates his 100th birthday this week. Ladisic, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart, served in the

Mediterranean Theater during WWII.  VAPHS Director Donald Koenig presented Ladisic with a certificate and the birthday cards during a Veterans Town Hall and Resource Fair earlier this month

in Washington County. The health care system collected the cards for several weeks prior to the event. As it receives more in the mail, it will forward the cards to Ladisic.  “I thank

everyone for sending cards,” said Ladisic, who attended the town hall with one of his children, Kim Thompson. She said over 100 friends and family from all over the world will celebrate her

father and his milestone birthday at an upcoming party. Ladisic also received a letter and coin from VA Secretary Denis McDonough, a citation from Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, and a letter

from Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi. In 1944, at just 19 years old, Ladisic flew 18 missions in less than a month. On July 2 of that year, he was injured during a 1,500-bomber

assault on an oil refinery in Budapest, Hungary. The ball gunner of his plane was killed during the aerial assault.  While recovering from his injuries in New York City, Ladisic received a

visit from the ball gunner’s widow, Frances Teresa, and her newborn son.  “I was laying in bed, and she put that baby on my chest, and I started to cry,” said Ladisic.  From that moment on,

he and Teresa fell in love. They married, Ladisic adopted her son, and the couple had three more children.  Ladisic said his family is “the most important thing in my life.” He also spoke

about the importance of love, attributing “loving everybody” as the secret to living for a century. Thompson said when her father is thanked for his service, he “always says ‘it was my

pleasure.’” A recipient of VA health care for 80 years, Ladisic said he is pleased with the care provided through VAPHS. “I thank you a million times,” he said, addressing his VA providers

during the event. “I appreciate it.”  EDITOR’S NOTE: all WWII Veterans are now eligible for VA health care. To learn more, visit All WWII Veterans are now eligible for VA health care.