George Pann smiled as he reached out to stroke a large white sheep.
Ryan Maglione, owner of Little Blessings Farm and Mobile Zoo, jokingly asked Pann if he wanted to take the sheep back to his room with him.
Pann just laughed, amazed by the animal.
It was a special day for the Saxonburg resident, who turned 100 on Friday.
The party was hosted by Magnolia Place in Saxonburg, where he lives. He donned a belt that read “100 years never looked so good” with a matching hat.
His scarf was right.
“I never gave it much thought, but it just kept coming up,” he said. “I feel good.”
The Little Blessings Petting Zoo included roosters, bunnies, sheep and more for Pann and everyone else. Dozens of animal crackers fell on the ground of the small fenced areas in which the animals roamed.
Friends, family and staff surrounded Pann, showering him with love and support.
Amie Feeney, quality assurance manager at Magnolia Place, said planning for the party began two months ago. She started by asking Pann what he wanted to do. She said the birthday party was a great opportunity for residents to hang out while celebrating Pann.
“I like to see the joy and the smiles,” she said.
Jodi Rodgers, director of marketing and administration, said she remembered that on Veterans Day, Pann shook hands with all the residents and thanked them.
“George is very humble and friendly,” Rodgers said.
Memories of Pearl Harbor
The environment was very different from when he was stationed in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Pann was an Army soldier assigned to the 55th Coast Artillery, Battery E, stationed on the North Shore. is from Oahu.
All these years later, it’s hard for Pann to look back on the day. He remembers how chaotic it was because of the damage the Japanese had done to the ships and the airfield.
“Eventually we were supreme,” he said.
Maglione said that as a veteran, it was great to be able to organize a petting zoo for Pann’s birthday.
“I think it’s wonderful. He’s seen so much,” he said.
The party didn’t stop at the petting zoo.
Later that day, the scouts held a flag raising and raising ceremony in Pann’s honor. State Representative Marci Mustello presented Pann with a statement from the state House of Representatives. And the Cabot Cruisers and Zelienople American Legion Riders held a parade.
Tanisha Thomas is the editor of Tribune-Review. You can contact Tanisha at 412-480-7306, tthomas@triblive.com or via Twitter .