Vehicle parade celebrates 100 years of life for WWII Veteran

Bernard “Bernie” McMahon may not be a talker, but the life-long Pennsylvanian was treated to a display of love and celebration when his West Shore community came out to celebrate him turning 100 years old this week.

Although McMahon’s birthday is on Wednesday, the East Pennsboro resident and his wife Charlene Tallman sat outside their home Sunday to take in the parade of vehicles that included around 100 vehicles.

McMahon, who has been a life member of the Knights of Columbus and a founding member of the American Legion Post 1001, had friends come out that he hasn’t seen in 10-20 years.

McMahon, who was born in Harrisburg, is a World War II veteran and member of the U.S. Marines. These days he enjoys a quieter life.

In the hours before the parade, McMahon’s youngest son called from Florida to wish him a happy birthday.

Michael McMahon said his wife works at a hospital that is currently treating COVID-19 cases, so they felt it was best to stay home.

“It’s all about Pop. We don’t want to get him sick,” Michael McMahon said.

When Michael spoke to his father and asked him how he was doing, McMahon said “I’m breathing!” with a laugh.

“I tell you what, it certainly is great for us to know that the community is there,” Michael said.

He joked with his dad about having a Canadian Club and water on his birthday, which McMahon said has been his drink for the last couple of years.

Amid all the preparation for the celebration, Tallman acknowledged that 2020 has been difficult for them. McMahon had a stroke several years ago, but up until the pandemic, he was going to a day center.

“With the pandemic, it’s kind of taken its toll on him,” Tallman said. “He’s become quiet. He’s just slowed down. He doesn’t walk as well. So I’m sure he senses it. He’s dealing with it the best he can.

“Knowing Bern, he would be happy if this was just another day. But I knew we had to have something for our church family, our community family,” Tallman said. “It’s just so reassuring that we have such a loving community that when we are, when and if we’re in trouble, or they’re always there.”

As McMahon listened to the variety of people who were planning on driving by on Sunday, he said “that’s really something.”

In all, about 100 drive-by including representatives from East Pennsboro Township police and fire, and a group of men from the American Legion came by on motorcycles, stopped and saluted him before leaving. The parade started a little before 5 p.m. and went until almost 6 p.m., Tallman said.

McMahon’s other children also came by with their families and were able to stay and socially distance from him, just to talk.

After the event, Tallman said McMahon was exhausted, so he was going to eat some ice cream and go to bed.

McMahon might be 100, but he still had a sense of humor. When asked if he ever thought he’d make it to 2020, he said:

“No, I never thought I’d get to 1515!”

Read more on PennLive:

Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade will be held in ‘reimagined’ format

Hummelstown Borough cancels Halloween parade due to COVID-19

___

(c)2020 The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.)

Visit The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.) at www.pennlive.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.