WWII Veteran Celebrates 102nd Birthday with Family and Future Dreams

Harold Terens, a World War II veteran, marked his 102nd birthday with a heartfelt celebration in Florida attended by family and friends. Surrounded by his second wife Jeanne, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he expressed optimism about the years ahead and his upcoming bucket-list milestones, including a planned bar mitzvah.

Terens, originally from New York City, described the day as the best of his life, feeling his first wife’s presence in spirit. He reflected on a recent joyful event — his wedding to Jeanne in Normandy last June, which he considers another highlight of his life. “I thought my wedding last year in Normandy was the best day, but today topped it. The best is yet to come,” he said.

Among his upcoming adventures are a 10-day transatlantic trip to enjoy opera in Milan, ballet in Paris, and a concert at the UK’s Royal Albert Hall. He also plans to have a bar mitzvah ceremony at the Pentagon next summer at age 103, fulfilling a lifelong wish. His parents, one Polish and one Russian, had distinct views on religion, which impacted his own early experiences.

Terens’s service record is impressive: enlisted in 1942, he served as a radio repair technician during D-Day on June 6, 1944, helping repair planes returning from France. He has revisited Normandy several times, including in 2024, when he was honored by France for his contributions and celebrated his wedding with Jeanne.

He has met five U.S. presidents and attributes his longevity to a stress-free lifestyle. Reflecting on his life, Terens feels incredibly fortunate, joking that he is “the richest guy in the world,” not with money, but with the joy and love in his life. “When I say the best is yet to come, I truly believe it’s out there,” he said with a smile.