San Diego Area WWII Veteran turns 100 on Veterans Day
Reaching the century mark as a World War II Veteran is a milestone worthy of celebration, but sharing this unique birthday with Veterans Day is an extraordinary honor and achievement.
Staff Sergeant, USMC (Ret.) Donal A. Meier enjoys time with family each year on his birthday, November 11. He also takes time to recognize the invaluable contributions of millions of his fellow Veterans.
Meier served in the Marine Corps for nearly four years, spending much of his time in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He served in Guadalcanal, Tinian, and Guam, where, by happenstance, he reunited with his brother Dale, who served as a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Donal recalled this special moment nearly 80 years later: "It was so nice seeing family that far from home." To this day, he keeps a picture of the remarkable reunion in a special place in his home.
Shortly after recounting the story of reuniting with his brother, Donal humbly remarked, "Dale had a doctorate. He was really smart." his family replied, "You're really smart too!"
Near the end of his time in the service, Donal was selected to be stationed in China due to his strong skills as a translator. He picked up languages very quickly and was asked to stay in Asia for an extended tour of duty because of his unique skill set.
After serving, Meier used the G.I. Bill to attend Oregon State, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He later received a Masters Degree in the same field from UCLA.
Meier spent most of his career working for the National Cash Register Corporation (NCR), where he advanced to the position of Director of Research. He also served as the General Chairman of the National Computer Conference.
It wasn't just intelligence that ran in the Meier family. Longevity did, too. Meier's brother Dale lived to be 99. In fact, longevity surrounded Meier, his wife Getrude lived to be 99 as well – missing the age of 100 by a month.
According to Meier's family, Getrude meant everything to him – from the first time he laid eyes on her, he knew she was the woman he wanted to marry. The courtship was interrupted when Meier left for the war, but when he returned home, they married. He has two sons, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Meier's family says his health couldn't be better – he takes no medications and hasn't been sick in years. He continues to live in his own home with a caregiver and only stopped driving less than a year ago.
His secret to longevity, his family joked, is his breakfast regiment – a bowl of Cheerios with bananas every morning.
Throughout his life, he took pride in his military service – he was proud that, at one point, every employee he supervised was a Veteran and even required his two sons to have a flat-top haircut when they were growing up.
On his 100th Birthday, Meier was presented with a special Certificate of Recognition & Thanks from VA San Diego Healthcare System Director Dr. Frank Pearson that included a signed birthday message for Meier.
Today, Meier is one of the approximately 119,000 living World War II Veterans who can now receive free VA health care, medical services, and nursing home care. This new care expansion was announced just ahead of Veterans Day and Meier's 100th Birthday.
"It's great that VA is offering this to all World War II Veterans," said Meier's son, Donal A. Meier II. "It's a great option for us to have as we continue to look to provide the best care to our dad."
All WWII Veterans who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, are eligible under this care expansion, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These Veterans will have no copays, enrollment fees, or monthly premiums.
VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, announced the new eligibility for World War II Veterans, saying, "These members of the Greatest Generation answered the call to serve when our nation – and the world – needed them most. Now, it's our job to serve them in every way we can."
When reflecting back on this special birthday, Meier's words couldn't help but draw tears from his family. "I had to make it to 100," he explained. "To spend more time with my family."
"He's Superman," Meier's son Donal II said. "Supporting his family and serving his country is all he ever wanted to do. There will never be another generation like his."