A good life: Army Veteran celebrates 100th birthday at Milwaukee VA
A good life. That was the consensus among family and friends about Clarence Hale Jr., who celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday.
The U.S. Army Veteran of World War II agreed.
“It feels good,” said Hale, who is a resident of the Community Living Centers at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. “I didn’t think I’d ever see it, but I’m glad.”
“Today is wonderful,” said Clarence’s wife Maggie. “It feels great.”
Saturday’s celebration at the Lake Wheeler pavilion on the Milwaukee VA campus included family from near and far. While Hale has lived most of his life in Milwaukee, he was born in South Pittsburg, Tenn., and still has family there, including his nephew, David Hale.
“He’s had a good life,” David said, noting that he makes the drive to Milwaukee at least once a year to see his uncle. “He’s a good person, and it’s amazing that he’s 100 years old.”
Those 100 years included serving in Europe during World War II, a time Clarence said he has never forgotten.
“Four and a half years in World War II — I remember it all too well,” he said.
After his discharge, Hale used his benefits from the GI Bill to become an electrician — even though at that time he could not get an electrician’s license because apprenticeships were only allowed to white men.
He went on to work at Allis Chalmers and owned several businesses, working well into his 90s.
He was also known for his beautiful voice, singing in several choirs and ensembles in Milwaukee, including with his church of more than 70 years, St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Church members were among the well-wishers Saturday, and they serenaded him with two versions of “Happy Birthday” — the traditional one and the Stevie Wonder version.
Phyllis Dixon, Hale’s stepdaughter, read a proclamation from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, which recounted Hale’s life and declared June 4, 2022, as “Clarence Hale Jr. Day” in the city. Hale also received a congratulatory letter from U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Looking spiffy in a black tuxedo jacket and crisp white shirt, Hale enjoyed interacting with the partygoers, clasping hands with loved ones and raising his arms in celebration after Dixon read the proclamation
Throughout Saturday’s event, family and friends chatted with Hale and his wife, and they helped Clarence connect virtually via smartphones with family who could not be in attendance.
Larry Hale, Clarence’s son and a fellow Army Veteran, said it was good to help his father celebrate 100 years.
“It’s a milestone,” he said. “We don’t have that many World War II Veterans left anymore, so we need to take advantage of it.”
Family lauded Clarence’s care at the Milwaukee VA, saying he is in a good place.
“He seems to be happy, so it works out good,” Larry said.
David agreed, saying Clarence went through a rough patch this past year.
“But he’s happy now, and that’s what matters,” he said.
The military runs deep in the Hale family: Clarence’s other son is retired from the Air Force, and his daughter is married to a retired Army Veteran.
Larry said he was glad his father’s birthday celebration could take place on the VA campus, with its ties to the military.
“It’s nice. You can’t beat it,” he said. “It’s a good celebration. He’s lived a good life. Everything has been good for him.”