A World War Two veteran who turns 101 on Flag Day is asking fellow Lake Forest, Calif. residents to help celebrate by sending him 101 birthday cards.
Frank Wendzel, an Army Air Forces Captain during the Second World War, was born June 14, 1920.
For his service, he received an American Campaign Medal, a European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, a World War Two Victory Medal, and Overseas Service Bars.
After his time in the military, Wendzel worked for NASA, where he helped with Project Mercury, NASA’s first man-in-space program. It had the objectives of orbiting a manned spacecraft around Earth, investigating man’s ability to function in space, and recover both man and spacecraft safely, the blog said.
In a post on the City of Lake Forest’s Facebook page, a photo of the centenarian holding a bright green poster board writes, “I am a proud WWII vet. I will be 101 years old on Flag Day, June 14, 2021. I would love to receive 101 cards for my 101st birthday.”
Last year for Wendzel’s 100th birthday, he was able to go outside for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. He celebrated his milestone birthday with a car parade from veterans groups. He was also nominated as a community hero by the city of Lake Forest.
He received more than 1,200 cards from members of the community last year.
Those that would like to send Wendzel a birthday card are asked to send the cards to:
Captain Frank Wendzel
Freedom Village Health Center
23442 El Toro Road, Bldg. 2
Room 139-B
Lake Forest, CA 92630
