George “Bucky” Brimmer envisioned his birthday without a lot of fanfare or much fuss.

But Brimmer was the center of attention on Friday.

The World War II veteran was honored for his 96th birthday with a surprise gathering that included family, friends and several dignitaries.

“I’m very happy and very surprised,” Brimmer beamed. “I never expected to see this. I never expected it.”

Brimmer, a 76-year member of the Lansford American Legion and American Fire Company, was in the Battle of the Bulge and has received a purple heart and bronze star.

His service - he is both the longest-standing and oldest member in Post 123 - has garnered praise far and wide.

He was recognized Friday by Post Commander Nate Krajcirik, Carbon County Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein and state Rep. Doyle Heffley, among others.

“We also invited all of our Legion members, a lot of the American Fire Company and just some friends and family of Bucky, so we could come together and celebrate him today,” said Carbon County Director of Veterans Affairs Christine LeClair. “We love him at the Lansford Legion. He paraded with us for Veterans Day; he still comes for the Memorial Day services, and we love just taking any opportunity that we have to spend with him and to hear his stories and any knowledge he’s willing to impart on us.”

Heffley presented Brimmer with a State House citation.

Heffley said, “A member of the greatest generation, all that you did in your life just encapsulates what it’s like to be a great citizen of the greatest nation on earth. Thank you very much for your service to this country and all that you’ve done.”

Nothstein gave Brimmer a certificate of recognition as the longest-serving member of American Legion Post 123 in Lansford, also the oldest member of the World War II Last Man’s Club.

“I just want to say you have had such an outstanding career, and life,” said Nothstein. “No one in this room, in this county, loves this country like you do, and have not made the sacrifices you have, not only for your country, but your county, your community, the fire department, etc.

“You have given so much back, and I just wish that many more of our American citizens were as patriotic as you. To be a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge is outstanding, and to go on and continue fighting in other skirmishes.”

Remarkable life

Brimmer’s father, George Sr., was a veteran of World War I.

Bucky carries with him a treasure chest of memories and experiences from what has been a remarkable life.

He was in the Battle of the Bulge, flying from England to France on Christmas Day in 1944. The battle lasted from Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan. 28, 1945 and involved approximately 840,000 men.

On March 4, 1945, Brimmer was involved in the Varsity Invasion. He flew in a glider from France over the Rhine River, where he became a lead scout. His unit engaged the enemy at two locations, and once the mission was complete, he returned to the American lines.

“I never thought I would see 21,” Brimmer said. “I was 21 years old riding in a glider, and there were four of us in the there. On the floor there was ... ammunition. If I would have been hit, I wouldn’t be here today.

“We landed five miles behind enemy lines and from there we went up to take the city of Munster. It was a British operation, but there were at least a couple of places where I thought I would never see 21 but here I am. The good lord was with me. Especially in the Bulge, too. The weather was bad, but so was the enemy.”

Brimmer, who currently lives at Maple Shade Assisted Living in Nesquehoning, was honorably discharged on Nov. 5, 1945. In addition to the purple heart and bronze star, he also received the combat infantry badge, glider wings and the Good Conduct Medal.

Following his discharge, he returned to Lansford, where he joined the American Legion in 1945. Brimmer worked in the mines as an engineer for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation at the No. 10 colliery until the cessation of the mines in the Panther Valley on April 24, 1954.

One week later, on May 1, he started at the United States Postal Service, where he worked for 36 years until his retirement in 1987.

“Bucky is sharp as a tack still,” said LeClair, who is also the First Vice Commander at the Lansford American Legion. “He knows my parents, and my grandparents. A few months ago, I brought my daughter to visit with him and he was telling her about her great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents. He’s just so sharp and has so many great stories to tell; things that I never even heard of.

“It’s great just having a local hero, because he truly is a hero in every sense of the word. He served his country, and then came home to continue his service with his community through the Legion and the fire department.”

But that’s just an ordinary day for Bucky, an extraordinary man.