CARMICHAEL, Calif. — Veterans across the country were honored through parades and different events across Northern California, but one World War II veteran celebrated becoming a centennial Saturday.
Chuck Shumate says he threatened to leave town before morning if his friends and family were going to make the day all about him, but they did it anyway at the Carmichael Elks Lodge to celebrate the major milestone.
“To me, it's nothing,” said Shumate. “It is just a day.”
He spent time in the army and then the Air Force. During World War II, he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge.
According to the national World War II Museum, less than 1% of WWII veterans are still alive today.
Though he has some health concerns, he plays golf every week and continues to "keep going."
"[I play golf] for the companionship and to enjoy company," he said. "And knocking the heck out of that ball."
Shumate says taking care of his late wife by himself kept him going. The veteran helped raise four children, 20 grandchildren and more than 20 great grandchildren.
“If I had a choice, I would love people more when I was growing up. I was not comfortable being affectionate to people and my wife rubbed all those rough edges off of me over 60 years,” he said.
When asked what is looking forward to, Shumate says enjoying life and dealing with things as they come.
During the celebration, he was given a special award for his service in World War II by Sacramento County Supervisor Rich Desmond’s office.
