Card Shower, Party Planned for WWII Vet’s 100th Birthday
Honoree is Frank Brock, Navy Vet and 1943 BHS Grad
Longtime Bethesda resident, Frank Brock, now living at Emerald Pointe Rehab and Nursing Center in Barnesville, will reach the century mark Saturday, August 1.
The Center will mark the occasion two ways.
“We’d love for our community to help make his milestone unforgettable,” the center posted on Facebook.
“We’re hosting a Birthday Card Shower and would be honored if you’d like to send Frank a birthday card or well wishes.”
Mail cards to:
Frank Brock
100 Michelli St.
Barnesville, OH 43713
The public is also invited to celebrate Frank’s birthday at Emerald Pointe at 1:30 p.m., Monday, August 3
“We’ll be enjoying music, birthday cake, ice cream, and plenty of stories as we honor 100 amazing years of Frank’s life. Whether you send a card or join us in person, your kindness will help make this milestone birthday one to remember”.
__________
Last December Brock was honored as member of Epworth Post 90, American Legion “for his unwavering support and membership to the organization and nation for the past 78 years”. The Post awarded Brock a “Service Award” at that time.
Brock became a member of the Bethesda Post in 1947.
Brock grew up in the Tacoma/Speidel area. He graduated from Barnesville High School in 1943 – 83 years ago.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy during the height of World War II. He served on a wooden “sub chaser” in the Pacific for the next two years.
Brock during his years Armed Service years. ( (Duane Lucas Facebook Images)
During those years, he kept a diary that he and his cousin, Duane Lucas, published in book form a few years ago titled “Sub Chaser: The Smallest Warship of World War II.” Several book signing events were arranged by Lucas including one at Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library. Copies of the book are at the Barnesville and Bethesda public libraries and Brock still has copies available for sale from his room at Emerald Pointe!
Several years ago, Lucas arranged for the WWII vet to fly from Columbus to Washington, DC as part of the Honor Flight Columbus that flies veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. Lucas joined his cousin for the memorable visit.
Brock worked for an interstate natural gas distribution company for several decades following the war. That work took him and his late wife all over the eastern United States from Louisiana to Massachusetts and beyond.
In 1975, the couple retired to Bethesda, living in a new modular home on Chestnut Street near Epworth Park. During the next quarter century or so, Brock kept busy working for the Bethesda Water Department and repairing television sets.
An avid fisherman throughout his adult life, Brock pulled in many large fish from ponds, lakes and rivers locally and wherever his work assignments took him over eight decades.
As his eyesight declined a few years ago, he made the decision to relocate to Emerald Pointe.
Today, getting about with a cane is one of few other compromises the soon-to-be centenarian has been forced to accept. With a sharp mind and an encyclopedic, almost photographic, memory dating back to his childhood, Brock is a favorite with the staff at Emerald Pointe!
In advance of the big day, local station WTRF-TV interviewed Brock. Read and watch the account here.
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