Above / Don O’Reilly celebrates his birthday every Nov. 16! Recently and with gratitude, we caught his reading PN!
For many years, Don O’Reilly has been a familiar face during socials at the Judd Kendall VFW Post where he’s been a very active member of both VFW Post #3873 and American Legion Post #43. On Nov. 16, 2020, Don is celebrating his 99th birthday.
O’Reilly served in the Army Air Corps (Air Force) during World War II. He was Air Force Military Police stationed in England.
As his story is told by Jennifer Slown, PAO, Post 43, “One evening, his commander asked Don to guard a door for a group meeting and to ‘Let no one enter without proper authorization.’ Don performed that duty, but did not know the subject matter of the group meeting. The next day, Don was informed that he was guarding the members of the group who were reviewing the details for the next day’s attack…Invasion of Normandy, France – Operation Overlord – June 6, 1944.”
Catching up with longtime PN reader
During one of the Naperville Municipal Band concerts in Central Park that summer, O’Reilly had stopped by the information table to ask if there were a way he could get extra copies!
Two weeks ago, we seized the opportunity to snap a photo of his reading the November issue of PN to run on his birthday.
So here we go, “Cheers to 99 years, Don O’Reilly! Happy Birthday!”
