Local WW2 Veteran celebrates 100th birthday with letters from around the world
Decorated Second World War Veteran Charles Davis of Windsor is celebrating 100 years of life.
“I'm very grateful, happy and wonderful,” said Davis. “I’ve lived a very fortunate life.”
Davis has received well over a hundred birthday letters from people around the world. Several Canadian leaders such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have sent letters wishing Davis a happy birthday.
“We received cards from all over the world, from the Netherlands, the United States, from different parts of Canada,” said daughter Terri Davis-Fitzpatrick.
Second World War Veteran Charles Davis. (Courtesy Terri Davis-Fitzpatrick)With a century worth of stories to tell, Davis will never forget his harrowing experience during the Second World War. Four days after D-Day in June of 1944, he arrived at Juno Beach where hundreds of soldiers had recently died.
“My role was supplying ammunition to the infantry,” said Davis. “Normandy was a tough go. I’m very lucky that I came through.”
While fighting overseas, Davis would go on to meet the love of his life, Doris. The couple was married for 68 years until her death in 2011.
“My wife was a sweet, lovely person. She made my life for me,” he said. “I wish she was still here.”
Charles Davis with wife Doris. (Courtesy Terri Davis-Fitzpatrick)
WWII veteran Charles Davis. (Courtesy Terri Davis-Fitzpatrick)Davis now enjoys spending time with his 14 great-grandchildren.
“Seeing those kids and watching them smile, giving me a hug and kiss, it’s amazing. I don't want to be selfish bugger, but I’d like to live a little longer and see them,” he said.
Friends and family of Davis describe him as quick-witted. Davis says the key to staying sharp is to keep up with your social life.
“You’ve got to stay on the ball,” he said. “I’m in touch with everybody, so I'm no dummy.”
Those interested in wishing Davis a happy birthday can send a letter to 817 Belle Isle View Blvd, Windsor, ON Canada N8S 3G4.
Second World War Veteran Charles Davis. (Courtesy Terri Davis-Fitzpatrick)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
Families shocked after Niagara Falls hotel cancels bookings made year in advance of solar eclipse
After having the foresight to book their Niagara Falls hotel rooms more than a year in advance, several families planning to take in the solar eclipse next month were shocked to find out their reservations had been cancelled.
B.C. rescuers face 'high likelihood' of failure to reunite orphaned orca with pod
The race to reunite an orphaned orca calf that’s stuck in a shallow lagoon with a neighbouring pod has entered its fifth day, and a marine scientist says the clock is ticking.
Video shows police interrupting auto theft in progress outside Toronto home
New video footage obtained by CP24 shows the attempted theft of a vehicle in a North York driveway earlier this month that was ultimately interrupted by police.
Majority of Canadians believe in life after death: Angus Reid survey
A new survey from the Angus Reid Institute has found that a majority of Canadians believe in some form of life after death, a proportion that has held steady for decades.
MyPillow, owned by U.S. election denier Mike Lindell, formally evicted from Minnesota warehouse
A court ordered the eviction Wednesday of MyPillow from a suburban Minneapolis warehouse that it formerly used.