'I'm Fortunate To Be Here:' World War II Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday

A World War II Veteran in Broken Arrow celebrated his 100th birthday this Memorial Day.

"I'm real fortunate to be here, I've had a lot of things happen during my life that the good Lord seemed fit to keep me here," said Charles Allred.

It was a happy 100th Birthday for Charles Allred as he was inducted into the Centenarians of Oklahoma Hall of Fame with his friends and family by his side.

"Well I'm overwhelmed, and I ain't nothing great, but I always just tried to treat everybody decent," he said.

Charles was born in Alfalfa, Oklahoma.

He graduated high school in 1941 and then went into the Navy, earning a Purple Heart for his service.

"I got shrapnel in the head, it so happens that I stopped the biggest piece of shrapnel, of any survivor," he said.

After the Navy, Charles settled back into life in Oklahoma.

He's been married to his wife Marilyn for 75 years.

They have two kids and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He says his favorite memories are from traveling the country with Marilyn in their RV.

"We have gone from Key West, Florida, to Seattle, Washington, to South Texas to Minnesota," he said.

For Charles, the secret to a long life is simple.. and all owed to his wife.