In Miami, Oklahoma, a distinguished World War II veteran marked his 100th birthday with a significant celebration on Tuesday. Glen Pitts reached this remarkable milestone, which was further honored with a special city proclamation.

“I hereby declare Tuesday, October 7th, 2025, as Glen Pitts Day in the City of Miami,” announced Miami Mayor Bless Parker, adding a unique touch to the occasion.

This honorary day is a testament that only a mayor can bestow.

To commemorate Glen Pitts’ centennial birthday, Mayor Parker officially named the day in his honor, recognizing his contributions and legacy.

“People have been incredibly kind to me. I suppose they appreciated me, and I certainly appreciated them,” expressed Glen Pitts, the 100-year-old Navy veteran, reflecting on his life and the community’s support.

The proclamation marked the end of an eventful 100th birthday for the Navy veteran.

During World War II, Pitts served in the Pacific theater, on the U.S.S Makin Island as an ‘amphib’ which is now known as the navy seals. His mission during the war was to protect convoys and clear beaches.

“We was an amphibious ship. We went in before the troops landed and cleaned out the harbor and soften up the beaches,” said Pitts.

Reporter: “You probably saved a lot of people’s lives by doing that.”

“Well, yeah, I guess so, after all we was in a war, we were fighting together. We was trying to take care of them guys and they were trying to take care of us,” said Pitts.

Pitts served in the war for three years. Just days before the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, he was finally given orders to head home.

“We could see Japan, and they said, ‘we’re going to drop a bomb that’s going to blow the whole end of that island off.’ So, we turned around and gave her all the steam we could give her, and we run as fast as that little carrier would go,” said Pitts.

In the 80 years since the war, Pitts kept something with him, and on his 100th birthday, he decided it was the day to donate it to a local military museum that he founded years ago.

“I donated an old knife that I found on Iwo Jima,” said Pitts.

For a man who’s lived a century, his energy is constant.

“We’re always on an adventure. At 100 years old, he wears me out, he’s always doing something or wants something,” said Pitts’ caretaker, Hope Carvalho.

And, if you ask him what his secret is to living a long life…

“I stayed away from the women. I kid them all the time, but they don’t believe me.”

Pitts says his 100^th birthday was one to top them all.

“It was a great day for me. It really was,” said Pitts.