Last year, we were fortunate enough to speak with Les Thompson on the eve of his 99th birthday.  Next week, he will celebrate his 100th year of what he calls “a pretty great life.”  

On Saturday, January 12, 1926 Les came into this world, just over 100 short years ago.  According to Oneida County VSO Dave Colton, Les is the oldest veteran in Oneida County. 

Despite a little bit of up and down with his health recently, Les has a consistent home health care worker to check in on how he’s doing throughout the week, and of course Dave Colton visits him as often as he can.

“They stopped checking his blood pressure,” Colton laughed, “because it’s always just fine.  This guy is amazing!”

Thompson is an easy laugher—friendly and sincere in his happiness.  Unlike some folks in their tenth decade, to say nothing of those who have seen some of the most intense fighting in the last 100 years, Les has nothing but good things to say about his time in the service, and his time on this earth.  “Well, it has been a great time!”  he said.  “I’ve seen and done a lot, and I’ve liked most all of it.”  It’s an amazing attitude to encounter at any age, but there’s something extra charming about it in the form of Les Thompson.  The fact that he was possibly in even better spirits than this time last year is a testament to his character.

While not quite as active as he once was, he’s still a busy man, with projects to attend to, including continuing to learn new things and telling stories.  Dave visits Les every week to check in on him and spend some time with him, and both enjoy historically based writing.

Thompson is one of the few Americans around today who lived through Black October, the Depression and WWII, all by the time he turned 20!  At the time, he was living in Greensburg, Kansas.  He was born in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, which “was even smaller than Malad,” he says.  “There was a barber shop, a general store, a fertilizer shed, post office, doctor, and a blacksmith.  There was one street with anything on it.”

When he turned eighteen in 1944, he joined the marines.

Les spent his time in the service in the infantry.  As Les put it, “I was 18 in the Marianas, and then 19 when we invaded Okinawa.  

In his time oversees, Les learned a lot.  He learned enough Chinese and Japanese to get by.  “One reason I had to learn so many numbers was that the exchange rate was something like 3000 to one!” he laughed.  

His friend Dave Colton was appointed last year to the position of the County VSO (Veterans Service Officer), which likely means he’ll be spending even more time with Les in the future.  The VSO is responsible for helping coordinate services and keep veterans informed about what resources are available to them through various federal programs.  It can be a lot to keep on top of for many veterans, and the VSO is a vital part of that process.  Bob Stokes was the previous VSO, who was thanked and praised by the county commissioners during January’s meeting for his work in updating and getting the position into shape.  

Regardless of his official duties, Dave and Les have become friends during their time together, and there’s no doubt they’d spend time together in any case.  It’s easy to see why, as they’re both joyful and good natured, and they both have an awful lot to say. 

Les is always happy to see visitors, and anyone who would like to stop and say hello or congratulations for his 100th can contact Dave Colton through the Senior Center to set it up.