The town of Marshfield came together to surprise a Marine veteran on her 100th birthday.
Josephine Desmond woke up to the sound of a parade of dozens of vehicles and police cars driving down her street.
Director of Veterans’ Services, Carin Paulette helped organize the event. She brought balloons and sang “Happy Birthday” from her doorstep.
“I’ve been in Marshfield Veteran Services for about eight years, and World War II-era veterans who are female are very few and far between,” said Paulette. “When we got a call that JoJo was turning 100, we were just so ecstatic.”
Paulette says it was an effort to bring the community together and appreciate Desmond’s service.
“That was very nice of you,” Desmond told Paulette.
Josephine’s nephew, Paul Desmond, tells WATD News she was always active in her community.
“She always had a strong personality. She was a teacher, when she moved down here to Marshfield she was very active in the church, she was on all kinds of committees,” said Paul Desmond. “For veterans, the Korean War memorial, the World War II memorial. She’s a life member of the Women’s Marine Association.”
In addition to her extensive experience, Josephine Desmond says she’s been a member of the Catholic Daughters for over 60 years.
“It doesn’t stop – she’s always busy,” said her nephew. “She’s always helping, always interested in where she lives to help the town.”
Josephine served for the Marine Corps from January of 1944 to February of 1946.
