Centenarian Kenneth "Ken" Medor, a World War II Army veteran, celebrating at his 100th Birthday Party at Langdon Place of Nashua, is here congratulated by well wishers and fellow veterans who joined dozens of family members and friends. Seated with Medor is New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte. Standing from left are guests Marc Plante of VFW Post 483 in Nashua, New Hampshire State Sen. Kevin Avard, a Nashua resident, Christopher DiTullio, VFW Post 483 commander, and Frank Wallent, a member of VFW Post 483. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – If babies delivered in 1925 could fly, newborn Kenneth “Ken” Medor, a World War II Army veteran who celebrated his 100th Birthday on May 5, might have hovered above a nightclub where dandies and flappers were gyrating to the dance music of the Charleston.

Medor has danced his way through a century of living, loving, working and serving his country.

“I don’t feel any different at 100,” said Medor from his current home within Langdon Place of Nashua.”

“My wife Grace and I almost made it to 80 years together, before I lost her on March 4th, but we traveled to all 50 states during my 31 years as a production manager with Polaroid and we shared 40 cruises after I retired.”

Medor is a Vermont native and high school athlete. He served in the Army in the South Pacific and elsewhere for 2 ½ years. He and Grace married in June of 1946 upon his return from military service. They honeymooned at Niagara Falls.

He said Grace thrived on raising a family. She also had a long career with Microwave in Burlington, Vermont, and Wang Laboratories in Tewksbury, Mass. She, too, lived at Langdon Place before her demise at age 98.

The Medors lived in several states for business or pleasure, eventually nesting in Sun City, Florida, for 20 years.

Nowadays, the centenarian, a man who likes restaurant fare and fishing, notes that his Nashua digs make for easy visiting. There is a trio of grown children — two boys and a girl — in addition to seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and two great greats. Ken’s sister is 2 ½ years older than him.

Dozens of family members, friends from Langdon Place and elsewhere, plus military service representatives from VFW Post 483 in Nashua were on hand during his grand 100th Birthday Party in the Langdon Place community room.

Special guests highlighted the event. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte and State Sen. Kevin Avard, a Nashuan, participated. His fellow veterans’ presence was heartwarming, he added.

“When I joined the Army, I was headed for the Signal Corps as a cryptographer but we needed an interpreter,” Medor shared. “When a Japanese guy showed up, I knew we weren’t going to Germany.”

More information on Langdon Place of Nashua can be found online at langdonnashua.com.