Lewis Plummer was given a hero-themed 100th birthday party. He enjoys wearing his World War II Veteran cap to IHOP, where most everyone thanks him for his service.

Lewis Plummer, 100, is looking forward to going to church again and ringing “Raphael,” the bell at Sanford Holy Cross Episcopal Church. “I’ve been waiting to ring old Raphael for a while now.”

Plummer is the parish’s oldest parishioner. Before the coronavirus lockdown, he went to church with two other parishioners every week.  “I can still get down to Communion on my own.”

The highly decorated World War II veteran has been a deacon and an usher at Holy Cross and has also helped out at the Sharing Center.

Plummer has three Bronze Stars, an Asiatic Medal, an American Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Medal. He received his first Bronze Star in Burma after he and his five Company C members pulled a plane crew out of burning wreckage and took them to a medic. “God gave me the honor of being their hero at Holy Cross. I guess that it’s His way of saying thank you for the service,” he said. He is the only surviving member of Company C.

One of Plummer’s proudest moments was being on an Honor Flight. “Fifty of us were given an all-day tour of D.C., and then we went to the World War II Memorial,” he said.

At his distinguished age, Plummer believes everyone should pray daily. “Give everything to God,” he says. “And, for you young guns out there, stay healthy. I never drank or smoked, so good health habits now will help you live longer.”

Photo courtesy of Lewis Plummer