AMPLIFY.UPWORTHY.COM / NEWS

WWII veteran requested people to send him 100 cards for his 100th birthday—he wasn't ready for the overwhelming response

The man had enlisted in the Navy in April 1943 when he was only 18 years old and had made 11 trips between Britain and North America.

BY RADHIKA AGARWAL

PUBLISHED 3 DAYS AGO

(L) A soldier in a uniform full of badges. (R) An old man with a birthday cake in front of him. (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | (L) Robert So; (R) JP)

War veterans have sacrificed a lot for their country and even put their lives on the line at some point. So when a World War II veteran, Gaston Pettigrew, hoped to receive 100 cards for his 100th birthday, people came through with something much bigger than he had expected. The collection of cards for Pettigrew grew ever larger as people expressed their gratitude for his contributions during the war, per CBC News. He was even welcomed with a huge round of applause as he entered the dining hall of the Maison Paul-Triquet home in Quebec City, Canada, on the eve of his birthday.

An old man wearing a soldier's uniform looks ahead with a smile on his face. Representative Image Source: Pexels | Mikhail Nilov

Pettigrew wore his Royal Canadian Navy uniform for the occasion and was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw a large wooden box full of cards in front of him. People from all across the globe had sent cards for him after a Facebook group "Passionmilitaria," dedicated to military history, posted his request. He wished to have 100 cards by his birthday on April 11, but received over 1700. The local health authorities even revealed that Pettigrew's residents thought they might receive more than 2000 cards in the next few days. Pettigrew was only 18 years old when he enlisted in the military in April 1943.

Happy birthday notes. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Dan Prado)

He became a seaman on the HMS Ettrick, and the ship served as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. Pettigrew made around 11 crossings between North America and Europe. Thankfully, his ship was never attacked during these missions. But he had to face the tough sailing conditions, carrying around 100 sailors at once. "We don't really realize what they went through, and I think it's our duty today to say thank you," Myriam Marty from Toulouse, France, who sent a card after seeing Pettigrew's request on Facebook, told the outlet. "I've always had a very deep respect for these people. Thanks to them, we're French today." She pointed out that the number of cards that have poured in represents how people can still honor those who have sacrificed in a world of individualism.

via GIPHY

Two teachers, Rendean Koudelka and Michel St. Louis from Hilltop High School in Whitecourt, Alberta, enlisted the help of around 25 students to write birthday cards for the veteran. "I described what Mr. Pettigrew had to go through. They knew about him and what he did and all the good things he did as a Canadian," Louis expressed. "It was very obvious they were thankful," Koudelka remarked. Also, Pettigrew took part in a special activity with the members of the Navy at the Quebec Garrison Club for his birthday.

An update on the status of the cards received by Pettigrew was shared on the Facebook group on his birthday. "Hundreds of you wrote to him, from all over the world. He's currently got close to 2000 cards, but more are coming daily!" the caption read. Pettigrew posed for a photo with a few of the greeting cards while sitting on a chair and had a big smile on his face. The room was decorated with a golden number "one hundred" balloon and miniature statues of soldiers.