NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — When Anthony Simone entered the army at 18, he says he was still a boy. He quickly became a man after the first bombs began landing in his general vicinity. He says they were all so scared on that first day.
“But after that day, we got so hardened that we never even thought about dying if you were attacked or anything,” he said. “Your whole life changed, and that’s how it was.”
Simone is one of the few World War II veterans still living. He turned 100 Friday in Camden County.
“I guess I’ll make a book, 'One of the Few,'” he said.
Simone says he doesn’t have any tricks for longevity or keys to life. He worked for many years in an auto body shop, a job he says he didn’t like very much.
“But I stayed there because I was making a tremendous living. And that’s what I did, I stayed there all the time.”
He’s received accolades and proclamations from local leaders and politicians congratulating him on the milestone. He even got a letter from former president Donald Trump.
He says that made him feel pretty good even though he didn’t vote for him.
He says the world has changed so much in his 100 years, with one of the most notable changes being technological advancements that have helped — but also forced — kids to grow up quickly.
“They’re getting educated and growing old too early, growing up too early. It should be a gradual thing, which today it isn’t.”
Simone says he’s so blessed to have lived long enough to see his children grow and retire from working.