ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A Jacksonville World War II veteran is turning 100 years old on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, some of Charlie Mungin’s family and friends had a surprise birthday lunch for him in Orange Park.
“It almost made me cry,” Mungin said. “I am surprised. I am really surprised.”
Mungin served in the United States Army for four years, including during World War II.
“I was just a little past 18, going on 19 [years old],” Mungin said about being drafted into the military. “President [Franklin D.] Roosevelt drafted us. We were not going to the ETO (European Theater of Operations). We went to the PTO, the Pacific Theater of Operations. It is a blessing. I did not think I would make it back.”
So many years later, he is celebrating a century of life.
Mungin’s granddaughter, Rena Richardson, was one of the people who planned the party.
“He is a comedian,” Richardson said about her grandfather. “He is funny and full of life. He would tell you a joke from out of the air. He speaks different languages. He is the patriarch of our family. He is the glue of it. He keeps our family together and he keeps our family going.”
Mungin is a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Richardson says Mungin passed down plenty of wisdom to her and her family.
“If something happens, just let it go,” Richardson said her grandfather would tell them. “Live to see another day because if you act on your actions, that five seconds can cost you your life. Be patient and let it go.”
Chelsea Majeske also helped with the logistics of the party. She is encouraging other veterans to send Mr. Mungin a birthday card and is already expecting 300 of them.
“I hope this is Mr. Mungin’s most memorable birthday that he has had,” Majeske said. “He absolutely deserves everything that he has going on this weekend.”
Majeske spent eight years in the Marine Corps. She is a combat veteran who went on two different tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2007.
Since leaving the military, she helps other veterans access resources they need after returning home from war, including disability benefits, financial help and mental health counseling.
“A lot of the World War II veterans did not get as much attention and welcoming home as we did,” Majeske said. “[Mr. Mungin] just needs to know that even with him being a World War II veteran, he still matters and all veterans matter.
Saturday afternoon, love and respect were in the atmosphere.
Richardson made sure it stayed that way and she delivered a heartfelt message to her grandfather.
“I love you so, so much,” she said. “I am proud of you and I am lucky, blessed to have you as my grandfather.”
Saturday’s celebration was a prelude to Mr. Mungin‘s actual birthday. He turns 100 on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
If you would like to help him celebrate, family, and friends are still accepting cards for him.
All cards can be addressed and mailed to:
Charlie Mungin
C/O Chelsea Majeske
3531 Waterford Oaks Drive
Orange Park, FL 32205.