WWII Veteran celebrates 100th Birthday at Hoffman Estates VA Clinic
It was a surprise party a century in the making.
World War II Army Veteran Angelo Capritta went in for his regular checkup at Hoffman Estates VA Clinic on April 4, 2023 but found a surprise 100th birthday party waiting for him.
“I never expected this. Never in 100 years,” Angelo exclaimed.
According to clinic staff, Angelo often comes in for a checkup on his birthday, but they knew this visit needed to be special for the new centenarian.
“His previous primary care physician Dr. [Bhanumathi] Raju was retiring but really wanted to make sure we celebrated his birthday. You don’t turn 100 every day, so we wanted to make it something that honored him,” said Genevieve Natividad, clinic nurse manager.
Angelo’s family joined the surprise celebration, including David Capritta, Angelo’s youngest son and the self-described 58-year-old baby of the family.
“It’s just amazing. His doctor asked to see him on his 100th birthday, but we weren’t expecting this,” said David.
Angelo is the son of Italian immigrants and enlisted in the Army in 1941. He soon deployed to the European Theater with the 762nd Field Artillery Battalion and served throughout the Western Front, including the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.
In 1947, Angelo left the Army and became an engineer. In 1966, he and his wife Patricia bought a house in Schaumburg, Illinois, and raised six children. According to Angelo, he and 91-year-old Patricia have lived in the same home ever since.
“We’ve always had a father who was a Veteran, but now that there are so few World War II Veterans left, we’re starting to realize how amazing it is,” said David.
Angelo credits his long life to staying active and setting goals each day.
“To be 100 years old is not that easy. There are a lot of things I used to do that I can’t do anymore,” he said. “But I have to be active every day. When I go to bed at night, I have to say to myself, what did I accomplish today? And if I accomplished nothing, it’s like, ‘Oh wow, what a wasted day.’”
Angelo celebrated the rest of his birthday with a small family gathering at home. On April 8, he will be joined by his six children and extended family for a larger celebration, according to David.
The clinic, part of Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, hopes to celebrate his 101st birthday next year.
“It’s important for us to do things like this,” said Natividad. “It’s a whole circle of health. It’s not just about getting your medications or referrals, but also about celebrating the whole person.”