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Holly Grove celebrates a community legend's 100th birthday
HOLLY GROVE, Ark. – A birthday celebration was held on Sunday at the Holly Grove community center for a man who sacrificed all for our country, Irunoes Johnson.
'That's what keeps me going, looking back at where I come from,' Johnson said.
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Johnson turned 100 years old, having lived a life of service in the U.S. Army and fought in World War II, driving a 6×6 truck into Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the 6 x 6 trucks one of the six most vital U.S vehicles to win the war.
The Holly Grove community honored all Johnson has done, along with his family. His grandchildren sang a song of thanks and his children gifted him with special plaques.
His daughter Barbra Casey, says her father has always been an example to her and everyone he's crossed paths with.
'He's been kind of a trailblazer where he's worked at the rice mill, and he helped train people and stuff, so for those people to come and give back to him on this day, he had tears in his eyes,' Casey said.
Johnson was full of gratitude himself and shared some words of wisdom.
'All I can tell you is when you start getting up in age, you've got to start taking care of yourself, you can get there,' Johnson said.
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He advised for those who want to make a difference and have an impact just like he did.
'Don't worry about what the other person is doing, you take care of yourself, because you go worrying about what other people are doing or want to be like other people, you've got a problem,' Johnson said.
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