Meet the WWII veteran hoping to receive 100 birthday cards in time for his 100th

Gaston Pettigrew says he can't wrap up his bear in mind around celebrating his 100th natal day next month. If it wasn't for his legs, the quebec urban center City resident says he would still be "jumping fences."

"To me, I'm not getting older," he said. 

Donning his Royal Canadian Navy uniform, Pettigrew proudly held up a few early birthday cards which made their way to his residence ahead of his triple-digit birthday on April 11.

But the veteran of WWII's Battle of the Atlantic is hoping to get even more well wishes — 100 to be exact.

Just this month, a community group dedicated to military history posted a photo of Pettigrew outlining a special request: 100 cards for his 100th birthday.

The Facebook post on Passionmilitaria garnered hundreds of likes and reactions from around the world, says Jordan Proust, a professor and military journalist behind the campaign.

"People from France, Africa, Canada," said Proust. "Given the number of messages and responses I've received, we're going to be well over 100 cards … I imagine at least 500."

Proust says he even received a call from an elementary school class in France who plan on sending cards out to Pettigrew.

The idea for the campaign started two years prior, when Proust first organized a campaign for Albert Morin — a fellow veteran and resident of the Maison Paul-Triquet home — who was turning 100. It was a major success and the veteran received a total of 800 cards.

"When I met Gaston … he came up to me and said, 'Jordan, I would like the same thing,'" recalled Proust.

Originally from France, Proust says honouring the people who served and helped liberate his country in 1944 is an important cause. He says there are three WWII veterans living in the same residence, which he often visits. 

"The veterans who gave absolutely everything for their army, for their country," said Proust.

"I try to do my best to pay tribute to them."

Pettigrew was just 18 years old when he enlisted in April 1943. He soon became a seaman on HMS Ettrick, a ship that served as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. 

"It was to transport food, airplane parts or whatever was needed in England," said Pettigrew.

He made 11 crossings between North America and Europe. Although his ship was never attacked during these missions, Pettigrew remembers the conditions aboard the vessel, which carried around 100 sailors.

He says the slightest noise on board could have alerted the German submarines.

"We were never supposed to make any noise. We got used to hearing a pin drop because there was so little noise," said Pettigrew.

"I remember my neighbour [on the boat], a Mr. O'Connell, and I could hear him crying. Some of them didn't have it easy."

He says the whole crew celebrated the announcement of Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945.

In the years that followed, he got married to his wife who passed away in 2017 after 68 years of marriage. 

His secret to living long is fourfold: not smoking, not drinking, staying home and "staying far away from the ladies," he said with a laugh.

He hopes to fulfil the prediction of a doctor who once said he would live to 104.

Based on a report by Radio-Canada's Philippe L'Heureux

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