Corralitos Man, a WW2 Vet, Celebrates 100th Birthday

By Edita McQuary

Corralitos resident Ray Burgess celebrated his 100th birthday June 27 with a little help from friends.

Sunday afternoon, June 29, about a hundred members of the community gathered at Corralitos Community Center to celebrate Burgess’ 100th birthday.

Burgess, wearing the same jacket he wore as a young Army sergeant 80 years ago, was recognized for his service, not only during World War II, but all through his life. He served in the 2nd Division of the U.S. Army and was wounded in the thigh in the thigh at the Battle of the Bulge. He was knocked unconscious by the blow and was nearly left for dead by his fellow soldiers. Miraculously, he woke up and yelled “I’m not dead yet!” and was picked up to be cared for.

At his 100th birthday party, trumpeter John de Jonge of Tracey played while the Honor Guard from the Aptos Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10110 did the military honors which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. After the military tribute, Corralitos Community Church Pastor Gayleen Myer, master of ceremonies, invited people to come up and express their congratulations, best wishes and joke a little with the honoree.

After the war ended, Burgess worked as an airplane mechanic at Moffett Field, overhauling engines on planes that returned from the European war. Later in life he taught auto shop and driver’s education at Watsonville High School for 25 years.

He has always been an attendee at the annual Dec. 7th, 1941 memorial breakfast commemorating the bombing of Pearl Harbor, put on in Watsonville by retired Watsonville teacher Esther Jessee and local businessman Frank Nigro.

TOP PHOTO: Pearl Harbor Survivors’ Association leader Esther Jessee and Watsonville businessman Frank Nigro congratulate Ray Burgess (center) on his 100th birthday.