Evidently for some, life just starts at 100.

Lehighton native Edward Francis Bair is living proof of that.

A mere month removed from his 100th birthday, the World War II veteran continues to reach rarefied air.

In recognition of his life and service, Bair was honored with a military tribute Friday morning at the Lehighton American Legion.

Congressman Dan Meuser noted how Bair survived not only the Great Depression, but also the wrath of dictators Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy.

“There’s a reason they say it was the greatest generation,” Meuser told Bair. “And you were part of it.”

Meuser then presented a Congressional Record to Bair, a gesture befitting that of a man who’s lived such a decorated life.

Flanked by family, friends, and members of the Lehighton United Veterans Organization, Bair reciprocated the praise.

Bair told them he was thankful for their attendance, along with their years of service to our country.

“I’m very proud to know all you guys,” Bair said. “Thank you very much.”

Bair, who turned 100 years old on Jan. 12, currently lives with his daughter, Lori, wife of Jim Flaim, in Delano.

He has three grandchildren, as well as two stepgrandchildren.

Bair was predeceased by his wife, Esther, whom he was married to for 55 years.

He worked at the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and then following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served from 1942-1946.

Bair then came back to the LV Railroad, and in 1951 started working with Bell telephone, where he retired in 1982 after 31 years.

He climbed a lot of telephone poles in his life, rode a motorcycle until he was 98, and went golfing that year, too.

His interests include riding motorcycle, playing golf, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

Bair is a member of Zion Reform Church, Lehighton.

Born in Lehighton, he said he enjoyed growing up on South Second Street.

“I thought it was a well-managed borough,” Bair said. “Everything seemed to be very favorable.”

That he made it to 100 is something that hasn’t gone lost on Bair.

“I guess I would use the word surprised,” he said. “I wasn’t looking forward to it; (because) it’s quite an impossible number.”

Just not for Bair, a true byproduct of the Greatest Generation.