UPDATE Dec. 9, 2014 / This afternoon PN’s editors visited Kenneth Dorsch, one day in advance of his 100th birthday, to take a few photos of the gentleman whose birthday cards already have begun arriving in large quantities.
According to Jordan Holwell who had originally initiated the celebration last week, the Illinois State Legislature also will read a proclamation submitted by State Rep. Jeanne Ives on Dec. 10, recognizing the veteran’s service to his country as well as his first 100 years.
Much to our surprise, among his mementos, Dorsch had clipped out the “Find Haldie!” centerfold of the November issue of Positively Naperville that featured a photo of “Naperville Loves a Parade,” a Century Walk mural along Rubins Way. Dorsch noted with considerable pride that his portraiture had been painted there near the image of Mayor George Pradel and other veterans pictured at the Judd Kendall VFW.
Furthermore, the exterior wall on which the mural has been painted is former home of the A & P Grocery Store, where Dorsch had started working in the meat department as a teenager.  Over time, his positions in the retail meat business took him from Naperville to Chicago and comprised his 42-year career.
As Dorsch continued to reminisce about his life as a circuit-riding preacher’s son and his family’s move to Naperville in 1930, the 1934 graduate of Naperville High School said, “At my age, you have lots of stories!”
And he flashed back to a snowstorm in 1967 when he drove home from Chicago along Route 83. Dorsch joked that during the record-setting blizzard, he’d avoided the ditches unlike unlucky drivers he could see in his rear view mirror.
While we snapped a few photos, Dorsch added one more thing about serving stateside as an Army Company Commander during World War II. Â “I did my best wherever they asked me to go,” he said.
Original Post / Kenneth Dorsch is a member of the Greatest Generation, one of 16.1 million Americans who served in World War II.
On December 10, 2014, the Army veteran will be celebrating his 100th birthday.
To honor his military service and his monumental milestone, the folks at Martin Manor are having a birthday party for him on December 19 and his friend, Jordan Holwell, also is planning a “card party” of sorts.
Dorsch’s last detail was as an MP with General Dwight D. Eisenhower and “I would like to get 100 birthday cards to him for his birthday,” wrote Holwell to many friends who forwarded the request to their friends online.
The entire community is welcome to help Dorsch celebrate becoming a centenarian by sending a birthday card.
Simply address birthday cards to:
Kenneth Dorsch, Martin Park Manor, 310 W. Martin Ave, Naperville, IL 60540.
In the bottom corner of the envelope write “Operation 100.”
According to statistics from the Veterans Administration, Dorsch is among some 35,500 World War II veterans surviving in Illinois today.  In fact, of the 16.1 million World War II veterans, fewer than 1.1 million still survive across the nation.
Holwell will be grateful to everyone who takes a moment to send cheers for a happy 100th birthday while recognizing Dorsch for his sacrifice and service to the nation in the name of freedom and “Operation 100.”
Editor’s Note: Holwell corrected the mailing address on Sun., Dec. 7. If you mailed your card to the address originally posted, arrangements have been made for all cards to be delivered to Dorsch. Thanks for participating in this initiative.
