ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County honored World War II veteran Joe Shomo by celebrating his 101st birthday on Tuesday.
Shomo, whose birthday was Aug. 21, served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, based in Hayange, France. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 9, 1946, after World War II ended.
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Shomo was escorted to Tuesday’s ceremony by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and was greeted outside the St. Johns County Administration Rotunda by St. Augustine High School JROTC cadets.
Friends, family and officials recognized Shomo’s dedication to serving the United States, and he received several gifts, including a framed photo portrait of the World War II monument in Washington, D.C.
Shomo said he was able to visit the memorial in person thanks to Honor Flight.
After the ceremony, Shomo was given a Certificate of Recognition during the Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting.