Waterville Times | Photos by Zach Lewis

CLINTON -- One hundred has never looked so good.

William Falk, who turned 100 years old at the end of August, received Oneida County American Legion’s 2023 Senior Legionnaire of the Year award. He said he was honored and grateful for the recognition.

He grew up in a family with four boys. All four of them were in World War II, Falk said.

“I tried to enlist, but my mom wouldn’t let me,” Falk said.

He was later drafted into the Army and spent three years in the service, with two years in Europe.

Falk knew from the long boat ride to Italy the ocean wasn’t where he wanted to be, plus a ship behind the one he was on sank.

After some time in Italy, it was on to France. He and his brothers all made it back home.

American Legion Helmuth-Ingalls Post 232 Commander Les LaBrecque and Oneida County American Legion Commander Michael Wakefield presented Falk with the award.