‘God’s been good to me.’ Lexington World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday
Lexington Herald-LeaderMar 04, 2024
If he could change one thing about the world,
In his 100 years, Bennett has seen some of the worst people can do to each other in the forms of oppression, segregation and discrimination, but he has, in his words, worked to try “to get justice for all.”
Bennett, a World War II veteran who worked alongside civil rights leaders in
“His experiences during the war shaped his worldview and instilled in him a deep sense of duty and dedication,” his family wrote in a news release marking the occasion. “His early experiences with discrimination fueled his determination to fight for equality and justice.”
Bennett was born in
He was a high school student when World War II broke out, and he and a friend jumped on a train and headed to
After they got there, Bennett spent time “clearing brush for landing strips, working in the maintenance of the aircraft, and going up for test rides with the Airmen,” a brief biography of his live states.
Ultimately, he returned to
But his time in
“Hitler planned on taking the world over. We stopped that,” Bennett said.
Bennett recalled serving with the
“We delivered all the goods and ammunition to the front lines,” he said Saturday. “I’ve been on the front lines many times.”
Was he scared?
“When you’re young,” Bennett responded, “you don’t pay it no mind.”
After the war, he enrolled at
“I’ve been successful all my life and thought I was failing,” Bennett said in an interview Saturday. “But if I was failing, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Bennett was father to nine children and three stepchildren. He has outlived four wives and several of his children.
“I love all my children,” he said. “God’s been good to me.”
Bennett has lived in
Daughter
Well into his 90s, Bennett was still driving and working at the
Minnifield said each year when his birthday rolled around, they’d usually go out to dinner.
“I kept saying, ‘You make it to 100, Daddy, and we’re having a big party,” she said.
And so they did.
On Saturday, Bennett was clearly relishing being surrounded by his family, who had come from all over the country to celebrate with him.
He pointed out a granddaughter who lives in
“I’ve got them
Later, Mayor
Bennett said he didn’t have any tips on longevity. He attributed his long life to the fact that “the good Lord wasn’t ready for me yet.”
Bennett’s cousin
“He helped my mama feed us many times,” she said.
Williams came in from
“I don’t have many cousins that get to be 100,” she said. “He’s a good man.”
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