A big crowd turned out on Saturday in Somerton to celebrate 100 years of Joe McCarron, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
McCarron, a Schuylkill native who raised his family on Forest Hills Avenue, turned 100 on March 8, with family and friends gathering for a party at a local Knights of Columbus hall.
On Saturday, neighbors came out to watch a drive by that included the 7th Police District, Highway Patrol, Warriors’ Watch Riders, Mission BBQ. Marine Corps League and the fire department’s Engine 58, Engine 62 and Ladder 34.
Warriors’ Watch presented McCarron with stars of an American flag, a Challenge Coin and beads colored blue (for Blue Star Families with a loved one in the military), gold (for Gold Star Families) and black (for POW/MIA).
The Marine Corps League presented McCarron with a hat and named him an honorary Marine.
State Sen. Joe Picozzi presented McCarron with a citation.
The St. Christopher 50-Plus Club presented McCarron, a longtime member, with a stack of birthday cards.
McCarron and his late wife raised five children, and he has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
McCarron was born in 1925 when Calvin Coolidge was president, stamps were 2 cents, a movie ticket was a quarter, a dozen eggs sold for 47 cents, a new car averaged $260 and the top songs included Yes Sir, That’s My Baby and Sweet Georgia Brown. ••
