ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg man who was friends with Charles Lindbergh, knew six U.S. Presidents, and is a decorated World War II hero, celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday.

"I never expected it," said Henry Sayler, 100. "I tell them that the first 100 are the hardest."​

Sayler graduated from West Point in 1943, before flying 68 missions in World War II, including over Normandy on D-Day. The Air Force veteran earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and 7 air medals.

"Believe it or not, I figure my time in the war was a great time," said Sayler. "We were all eager to get into that war. I mean eager." 

Sayler was selected as a White House aide under President Harry Truman. The war hero also became friends with Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush.

"Although I had some ties to some other Presidents," Sayler said. "I would say my favorite President was Ronald Reagan." ​

Sayler also became a Florida State Senator and Chairman of the Florida Republican Party. Sayler said he doesn't recognize the bitterly divided politics Americans have been facing recently.

"I think the situation today is kind of a sad one. It's a really sad one," he said. "But hopefully we'll survive and I'm sure we will."

 Sayler says he exercises every day and swims in his pool but only if the water temperature is 88 degrees or warmer.

"I just got a gift," he said. "A little round thing... that tells me what the temperature is in the pool."

The St. Petersburg man has been a part of many history making events during his lifetime but said his greatest memory is that of his wife, Wyline, who passed away last year. They were married for 73 years and raised 4 sons.

The public is invited to join St. Petersburg Fire and Police for a birthday drive-by parade to honor Sayler. The event begins at 12:15 p.m. at North Shore Park on Saturday.