Robert F. Lyons doesn’t talk much about the war. But on his 100th birthday, the people who love him made sure his service was honored — loudly and proudly.
The World War II Navy veteran was surrounded by family and friends for a milestone celebration that felt entirely fitting for a man his family calls one of the greats.
Lyons smiled through the whole thing, taking in every song, every candle and every moment.
The Pasadena mayor’s office even sent a representative with something special.
“The mayor sent me with something very special for you, and that is a proclamation,” the representative said.
Lyons served in the U.S. Navy as a Fireman First Class V6 from April 1944 until August 1951, spending time aboard the USS Gregory and the USS DeHaven. When asked about his time in the war, he was gracious, but told us he didn’t talk about it much.
“I was just a sailor,” Lyons said. “We were always on those huge warships. I worked down below in the ship. I was no great person, I was just a guy.”
His family says they don’t have many photos from his Navy days or his younger years. His daughter Holly isn’t sure where her late mother stored those memories. But they’re making new ones every chance they get.
“He’s a cut-up! He has so much fun playing with the great-grandkids,” Holly Lyons said.
Holly says the birthday celebration was about more than cake and candles.
“I just thought we should honor him for still being alive, being such a good family man and living here in Pasadena since 1958,” Holly said.
Robert Lyons has called Pasadena home for more than 66 years. He is part of a generation that gave everything — and asked for very little in return. His family says they plan to keep honoring him today, tomorrow and for as long as they’re lucky enough to do so.
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