There was double cause for celebration at Astoria Senior Living in Oakdale on Saturday, May 30 – as resident James ‘Jim’ Adams was feted on his 100th birthday and was also recognized for his military service during World War II.

Adams and his wife Joni – who will observe their 75th wedding anniversary in November – now live at Astoria and welcomed several family members, friends and special guests for the Saturday afternoon gathering.

Among those on hand were Oakdale Mayor Cherilyn Bairos and representatives of the Oakdale VFW Post 2922.

Two of the couple’s three daughters attended, Kathryn Brassard with her husband Mike Brassard; along with Peggy Huger, while oldest daughter Linda Adams was not able to attend. Granddaughter Kaitlyn Shugart, the daughter of Kathryn and Mike Brassard, attended with her son, five-year-old James, who is named after his great-grandfather. Hal Adams, also a veteran and – at 94 – the younger brother of Jim Adams, attended the festivities as well.

Representing the Oakdale VFW Post 2922 were Commander Jim Duty and members Joe Evans, Dan Vigil and Wayne ‘Tim’ Bell.

Mayor Bairos took the microphone to share a little bit about how she met Jim and Joni, a chance meeting at the local House of Beef, and got talking when Joni asked about how many people the venue might hold for a party. When the mayor inquired what the event was for, she learned it would be for the 100th birthday for Jim and, noticing the World War II Veteran hat that he was wearing, Bairos said she knew she wanted to be a part of the event and thank Adams for his service.

While his actual birthday was on May 29, the decision was made to host the gathering on Saturday, May 30.

“Thank you for allowing me to be here with you today,” the mayor told the couple as she presented a special Certificate of Recognition. “It is an honor and privilege to be here with you, happy birthday on behalf of the City of Oakdale.”

Chaplain Joe Evans of VFW Post 2922 detailed some history regarding the ship Adams served on in the Navy during World War II, as well as the fact that he had to get his mother’s permission to enter the service, since he was only 17 at the time he enlisted.

“Today we are celebrating much more than a century of life; we are celebrating a century of courage, honor and patriotism,” Evans shared in offering his birthday wishes to Adams. “Thank you; we can’t thank you enough, really, for your service to our country … because of you and your generation, you played a major part of why we still live in a country that honors God, country and family.”

Commander Jim Duty then presented a certificate on behalf of the VFW Post to Adams, honoring his service, and Dan Vigil presented a special flag to him as a gift from the post.

“I’m overwhelmed with all of this,” Adams admitted, looking out at the crowd of well-wishers.

He and Joni, 94, have lived at Astoria for about eight months and are longtime residents of Oakdale.