6 minute read
Meet Paul Sikorski: Gwinnett Veteran Turns 100 Years Old on Veterans Day
By Tana Poncsak
People who live to be 100 years old are bound to witness a lot of change in the world. And that’s certainly the case with Paul Sikorski.
On November 11, 2022, Sikorski, who is a World War II Veteran, had a lot to celebrate –
Veterans Day and his 100th birthday. And it was quite a celebration with a special happy hour at his current residence, Dogwood Forest of Grayson, with about 120 people in attendance.
“We had quite a celebration here,” Sikorski said about the festivities that included a champagne birthday cake. He also had an additional celebration with family and friends.
But Sikorski hasn’t always been a Gwinnett resident. He was born in Chicago and grew up in Riverside, a suburb of Chicago. Sikorski said the area is also called the Village of Winding Streets, which made it quite an experience growing up there and learning how to get around.
As a young boy, radio, newspapers, and magazines were his sources for information and entertainment.
But like many other young men, Sikorski also spent time in the military. He left for basic training in California around 1942 and served in the United States Army Signal Corps. After basic training, he was sent to Washington D.C., where he was trained in microfilming, and from there he was sent to Liverpool, where he was stationed in London and got his first taste of war. Five days after settling in London, there was an air raid.
“We had our first taste of the war and the first indication there were people out there who would kill us if they got the chance,” he said. “We survived that. It was a close call.”
He said you could hear the V-1 rockets coming, and when the sound stopped that meant they were on their way down. Then the silence was followed by a big explosion. Hitler was sending over more than 100 rockets per day in an attempt to coax Churchill into surrendering.
Sikorski also spent time in Paris while in the military, where he also set up microfilming operations, and he stayed there for the remainder of the war. After the war, he went to school and earned his degree from Northwestern University. His new employer was expanding, and he found himself back in Europe. This time he was able to enjoy many of the sights Western Europe had to offer. He enjoyed the museums of Amsterdam, Paris, and Madrid, and spent time in Italy, where he visited the historic Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel. But one of his favorite sights can be found in Florence, Italy – the Statue of David by Michelangelo. “I will always remember that,” he said. “It was just unbelievable.” With a new job, he made his way south, living in Chattanooga and working for a company in Dalton, Georgia. He retired after forty-five years. Sikorski’s wife passed away in 2005. He has one son, who still lives in Chattanooga, a daughter in Virginia, and a son who lives close to Dogwood Forest, where he now resides. He referred to his nearby son as the one responsible for his current residence and his chauffeur to his various appointments, adding that “…they’ve been here for thirty-five years, and they know where all the good restaurants are.”
As for Dogwood Forest, Sikorski said he was the first resident to move there. “I’ve been here for five and a half years now,” he said. “It’s been my home, and I’m very happy with it.”
Sikorski exercises seven days a week, and although he uses a walker, the exercises help him stay mobile and out of a wheelchair. Lately, a lot of people have asked him what’s his secret to longevity. “I tell them my secret is vodka and Krispy Crème doughnuts,” he said. “A doughnut every morning, and a vodka at night before bed while watching television.” Your Best Smile Starts Here Doctors Stewart Helton & Beau Upshaw
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America Recycles Day Continued from page 15
Executive Director Schelly Marlatt of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (GC&B) is a lifelong resident of Gwinnett and passionate about people and her community. Her parents taught her from a young age the value of community engagement and service and the concept of paying it forward. Her deeply rooted commitment to community has led her to serve Gwinnett County government since 2010.
Schelly is dedicated to providing a safe and sustainable community to attract an up-and-coming generation of people, businesses, and organizations to Gwinnett County. Connecting people and resources for a sustainable Gwinnett and having a community free of litter, graffiti, and blight is her ultimate mission. She wants a place where neighbors engage with one another and can be proud of where they live, work, play, and conduct business together.
A two-time breast cancer survivor, Schelly embraces all facets of life and strives to show her best as a mom, a businesswoman, and a proud citizen of Gwinnett. She’s continually networking and building new partnerships in the community, facilitating a cleanup or recycling event, or inviting anyone and everyone to join GC&B’s journey.
We all have those odd items taking up space around the house that simply aren’t appropriate for residential garbage collection. America Recycles Day is a great opportunity to clean out some of that clutter in your garage, basement, or office in a way that benefits your family, the community, and our beautiful planet.
More information at https://bit.ly/3SbzXEW .
Services is now helping people move in all 48 contiguous states. Most recently, they found themselves in northwest Washington state, proving that this team will go as far as they possibly can to help their customers.
“We grew because we did it the right way,” said Grant, referring to his company’s unfailing loyalty to the value of a job well done. “People don’t understand just how much the right mover can make a difference until they try to go without one.”
If you are interested in utilizing Gwinnett’s (and the country’s!) premier moving services, just call 678-743-6377 or email info@ presidentialrelocation.com to start the process of scheduling your move. Be warned, though. Once you use the best, no one else will do. Presidential Relocation Services will quickly become your preferred mover for life.
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Presidential Relocation Services Cont’d from page 5
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