101-year-old Purple Heart recipient celebrates his birthday at Hooters

When US Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient Harry Perez Cerezo’s one centesimal birthday was arising final 12 months, he was unsure how he wished to have a good time the milestone birthday. 

He jokingly informed his niece, Josie Ramirez, that he wished to have a good time at a restaurant the place he may see some stunning ladies. 

What Cerezo didn’t know at the time was that such a spot truly exists: Hooters. 

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So Ramirez and her husband took Cerezo to the El Paso location of the well-known rooster wing chain for his birthday — and he had a blast. 

“He enjoyed and he just loved it. They came and took pictures with him,” Ramirez informed Fox News Digital in a cellphone interview in regards to the employees. “The whole atmosphere — everybody was very, very friendly,” she stated. 

Army veteran Harry Perez Cerezo celebrated his one hundred and first birthday at Hooters in El Paso, Texas. It was his second 12 months in a row celebrating at the restaurant. (Hooters)

And he liked it a lot that he determined to have a good time his one hundred and first birthday at Hooters as effectively. 

“He didn’t think he was going to live to 101,” Ramirez stated. 

But when his birthday rolled round once more, he stated he wished to have a good time the identical approach he did the 12 months earlier than.

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On Friday, Jan. 5, the Hooters in El Paso, Texas, together with the Veterans of Foreign Wars plus his household and pals, threw Cerezo a celebration for his one hundred and first birthday. 

There have been decorations, a cake — and fairly girls. 

In addition to a signed Hooters hat, Cerezo was handled to a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by the chain’s iconic waitstaff. 

“He had such a smile on his face,” stated Ramirez.

Hooters Girls signed a hat for the U.S. Army veteran’s one hundred and first birthday. (Hooters)

“It was our honor to celebrate Harry’s 101st birthday!” Hooters El Paso wrote on its official Facebook web page. “Harry spent 22 years serving his country and is a Purple Heart recipient and World War II and Korean War veteran!”

The firm added, “Everyone go wish Harry a happy birthday!”

Wrote one commenter on the Hooters Facebook web page, “Happy birthday, Harry. [It’s] a privilege — thank you for your service and sacrifices.”

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Cerezo, who’s initially from Puerto Rico, joined the U.S. Army as quickly as he was capable of as an adolescent, Ramirez informed Fox News Digital. 

“It was our honor to celebrate Harry’s 101st birthday.”

During World War II, “he was sent to Japan,” stated Ramirez. 

While he was there, he was shot within the again — and finally acquired a Purple Heart. 

Following his restoration, Cerezo was despatched again into the warfare. He additionally served through the Korean War. 

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He retired after 22 years within the army, and moved to North Carolina to work for the U.S. Post Office.

After his retirement, he and his spouse moved to El Paso. Cerezo’s spouse died in 2018. 

“He’s a very, very quiet, reserved guy,” stated Ramirez. 

Cerezo’s niece described him as a “quiet, reserved” one who continuously workouts and watches recreation exhibits. He’s proven celebrating his one hundred and first birthday in El Paso, Texas, at Hooters.  (Hooters)

Despite his superior age, Cerezo is “very active,” stated Ramirez — he even does every day exercises on his treadmill. 

People are sometimes stunned to listen to that he’s 101 years previous, she stated. 

At age 101, he nonetheless does every day exercises on his treadmill.

He watches Mexican cleaning soap operas, and completely loves watching recreation exhibits like “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” each night time. 

“He will not go anywhere with me until [the shows are] over,” stated Ramirez. “He hates Sundays because there are no games.” 

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As for his future, Cerezo plans on celebrating each birthday that comes alongside at his new favourite spot: the El Paso Hooters.

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“He informed [local media] once they interviewed him, he stated, ‘I’ll be right here ’til I’m 105,'” stated Ramirez. 

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