LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Staff at Northwestern’s Lake Forest Hospital held a special birthday party last week for a patient who is celebrating his 102nd birthday.
Sidney Wallach is a World War II veteran. He was drafted into the army in 1942 and served through 1946. Wallach received three overseas service bars, one service stripe, a European African and Middle Eastern theater ribbon, an American theatre ribbon, and a victory medal.
He is receiving treatments at the hospital for conditions related to his advanced age. Patient access specialist Terry Girmscheid has developed a special bond with him. Her father was in the same World War II boot camp as Wallach.
“The first time I met Sidney he had his World War II cap on. My dad would never go out without his cap. That’s how we started talking,” said Girmscheid. “When I spend time with Sidney I feel like I have my dad back for a little while.”
Wallach said that he is "trying to sustain life."
“I don’t drink or smoke. The halo on my head it pretty tight,” he said. “I eat an egg a day because eggs are the beginning of birth. Everything in an egg is to sustain life."
Girmscheid knew Wallach's birthday was coming up and initiated the idea of throwing a party for him.
“World War II veterans are our true warriors. They fought to the end and never gave up, and that’s how Sidney is now,” she said. “He is filled with so much love for his family.”
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