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\nThe oldest known U.S. veteran of World War II observed\u00a0coronavirus\u00a0social distancing restrictions as he celebrated his 111th birthday in New Orleans.<\/p>\n
The National WWII Museum\u00a0arranged the socially distant birthday celebration for Lawrence Brooks Saturday at his home,\u00a0Fox 8 New Orleans<\/a>\u00a0reports.<\/p>\n
Brooks watched from his porch as the museum\u2019s vocal trio, The Victory Belles, sang \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d to him from outside his gate.<\/p>\n
He also enjoyed military plane flyovers conducted by the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team and The Big Easy Wing, according to the station.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is such an honor to have the oldest living U.S. veteran of World War II living so close to our institution, and it was meaningful for us to continue to celebrate Lawrence Brooks and his incredible life in a safe manner this year,\u201d the museum\u2019s Amber Mitchell said, according to the station.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we continue to lose members of The Greatest Generation, it is so important that we honor these men and women for their bravery and sacrifice while they are with us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Brooks was born Sept. 12, 1909. He served in the predominantly African-American 91st Engineer Battalion, which was stationed in New Guinea and then the Philippines during World War II.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team flies T-6 Texans and The Big Easy Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (I\u00a0still\u00a0<\/em>prefer their old name, the Confederate Air Force) fly a N2S Stearman and a 7\/10ths scale flying replica of a Ju-87 Stuka dive bomber.<\/p>\n