A North Carolina elementary school helped one of their crosswalk patrol guards celebrate a very special birthday last month.
Mr. Thomas Faucette, a retired postal worker and World War II veteran, turned 100 on Sept. 30, and staff at Peck Elementary School in Greensboro where he works made sure to honor their very special patroller on his big day with a surprise bash.
Mr. Faucette is fully devoted to keeping students safe in his job, and has been since 1988 when he started.
Students made birthday candles out of construction paper and crafted signs wishing him well on his 100th birthday. The school wished him happy birthday with a message on their sign outside the school.
Also in attendance were officers from the Greensboro Police Department who run the patrol. They presented him a special award and took photos to commemorate Mr. Faucette’s centenarian year; later posting them on their Facebook page and captioning their well-wishes.
“Mr. Thomas Faucette turned 100 years old today. He has been a crossing guard with GPD since 1988,” the Department wrote. “That is after retiring from the post office and serving in WWII. The students, teachers, and staff at Peck elementary and Chief James celebrated Mr. Faucette today for all his years of service.”
Greensboro officer Ronald Glenn told The Epoch Times, “He was drafted into the Army and served 2 years in WWII and then came home to work at the post office. Mr. Faucette retired from the post office in 1986 after 40 years!
“His wife became a school teacher and she inquired to the school crossing guard at her school about how he got the job and he began serving as a crossing guard in 1988.”
The officer noted that he “did seem to enjoy himself” during the party.
“It is a special thing to see someone live as long and as well as Mr. Faucette,” he added. “It was an honor for the Greensboro Police Department and Guilford County Schools to be a part of celebrating such a special person in our community.”