The Monroe County Commissioners honored Frank Lanterman for his 100th birthday on Feb. 11 with a certificate commemorating the special occasion.

The certificate was approved at the commissioners’ meeting on Feb, 1. Sharon Laverdure, president of the commissioners, represented the commissioners at party held in his honor at the Elks Lodge 319 in Stroudsburg on Friday.

In an interview, Laverdure talked about all the community work Lanterman has done over the years. She mentioned his love of the animals at the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe, and how he would bring meat over for the dogs as a treat.

“He put all of his energy into his community,” Laverdure said.

Lanterman worked at his family’s business, Lanterman and Allen Funeral Home, and was a member of numerous organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs, Elks Lodge 319, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs, the Monroe County Historical Society, AWSOM, and the Salvation Army East Stroudsburg.

“If you’re able to do it, you should,” he said, “to help other people.”

Lanterman is a veteran and a member of the East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church. Laverdure said he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

“He was part of the invasion in Normandy on D-Day,” she said.

The birthday party surprised him.

“It was nice that they honored me,” Lanterman said. “I was surprised to see so many people come out to see an old man.”

More than 100 people were there to wish him a happy birthday at the party.

“It was very nice,” he said.

As far as his secret to a long life, Lanterman said, “Make sure that you walk every day and eat the proper food. Exercise. That helps keep you in shape.”