New Jersey neighbors celebrate World War II veteran with parade outside home for 100th birthday

Members of a New Jersey community celebrated World War II veteran Frank Uveges’s 100th birthday Monday by throwing him a parade outside his home while adhering to social distancing restrictions.

The Hamilton VFW announced the celebration on Facebook, encouraging residents to honk, wave, sing and yell from their cars to celebrate Uveges’s 100th birthday from a distance.

People sang “Happy Birthday” from the sidewalk while others honked their horns and held signs from their cars as they drove by, according to a video published by NJ.com.

“I think it’s unbelievable that people would come out here like they did,” Uveges told NJ.com. “My neighbors, I’ve got all good neighbors.”

N.J. Neighbors threw this WWII veteran a parade for his 100th birthday. pic.twitter.com/oFc8RPyFWl

— NJ.com (@njdotcom) April 1, 2020

Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin presented Uveges with an official proclamation from the township, The Trentonian reported.

The police and fire department also drove by to honor Uveges and thank him for his service.

New Jersey has been under a stay-at-home order for weeks. The order mandates the closure of all nonessential businesses and prohibits all social gatherings, including parties and celebrations.

Uveges, at 100, is in a high-risk group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says anyone 65 or older is more susceptible to severe illness from the coronavirus.