MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County is honoring a vet in a very special way for his birthday. Tuesday is Oct. 3, but it’s also got a new name in Manatee County: John Skeen Day.

The veteran turns 105 today and gave Spectrum News a peek into his life and time served during World War II.

The World War II vet is being honored in multiple ways this year. Manatee County Commissioners have declared Tuesday, Oct. 3 (his birthday) as John Skeen Day.

“All eight councilmen, everyone stood up, went around the horn acknowledging my service,” Skeen said of the declaration. “Oh, it was awesome.”

Skeen was drafted in 1941 when he was 21. He later earned two Purple Hearts while serving as a platoon leader in the 27th Infantry 70th Division and still remembers his role.

“I had to lead into the attack, you know,” he stated.

While he’s honored, he’s left thinking of his soldiers who aren’t here.

“They are no longer here,” he said. “Some of the bravery and acts of courage nobody knows anything about it on the front line.”

Skeen meets with his fellow veterans every Thursday morning at a local restaurant. This group shares stories of hardship and resiliency.

“Great guys, we call each other brothers, so many of us have gone through the same thing,” he said.

The Bradenton resident has been going there for the past four years, telling old stories like how his Bible supported him through the war.

“I absorbed those verses and scriptures, and it really helped me,” he said.

At 105, he’s even making new memories.

“They are true brothers, closer than blood relatives,” he said.

He’s still living life to the fullest but never forgetting his brothers who fought with him.

On Thursday, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m., there will be a breakfast celebration for him at Bob Evans restaurant in Bradenton on State Road 70.