BRADENTON, Fla. — Our World War II veterans are known as the greatest generation for good reason, and at the Brookdale Palma Sola on Thursday, they celebrated the birthday of someone who embodies the term.

Jules Hagen “never imagined” he’d hear people singing for his 104th birthday but loved every minute of it, as well as the blue frosted cupcakes.

Four years past the century mark, the WWII Air Force Veteran values a good laugh, frequently cracking jokes. Growing up in rural Indiana during the Great Depression, it was the value of hard work instilled in him by his father.

“My dad started me off working till noon. You got to work. Get up at six o’clock work till noon,” Hagen said. 

“Keep your damn mouth shut and work,” he added with a laugh.

It was a work ethic he brought to school then overseas while serving during World War II across Europe.

Based in England, he served as a command engineer, making sure the B-17 bombers and their pilots were fit to fight. Photos of his time in service captured in a 1949 yearbook of sorts, he keeps stashed on his motorized scooter.

“Do what they tell you in the service, don’t argue with them,” he said, offering coaching words for anyone looking to serve.

After the war he worked hard at many other roles — as an attorney, a loving husband and father, and now as a light in his Bradenton senior living community.  

“I think I’ve been brought up to think the way to live is to work. You got to work. You got to plan,” is advice from the greatest generation to the latest generation.  

Though what he’s seen when it comes to technological advancements, particularly impressed by his daughter’s car’s connectivity with her phone, and how quick his granddaughter can pull up a photo from he and his late wife’s 75th anniversary, makes him think the kids will be alright.

“How do I help people? I can’t help you in the future because you’re ahead of me now,” he laughed.

At 104, he’s just being modest.