FLEMING ISLAND — U.S. Navy veteran Harry B. Senior celebrated his 100th birthday on Wednesday.

"I just feel blessed," Senior said. 

At an open-house celebration, family, friends and neighbors were able to stop by, eat cake and celebrate with him for the special occasion. 

Senior's wife, Lee Doris Senior, threw the party as a way to celebrate her husband's long and valued life. 

"How many people...get the opportunity to live to be 100 years old? And, so far, to be able to walk and have a little bit of your mind," Lee said. 

Senior's granddaughter Cherie Tatum and stepson Birse Timmons also came out to celebrate.

Tatum said it meant a lot to celebrate her grandfather.

"He always would tell me, everyday's a blessing and every meal's a feast," Tatum said. "So, just being here with him is an honor." 

Timmons said Senior has been in his life since back in 1979. He said he has learned a lot from him and is proud to honor him.

"I come down here and visit often," Timmons said. "And every time I see him, he says to me, 'I'm still here.' And I say, 'Yep.' And there he is, he's still here." 

Also in attendance was Senior's best friend, Walter Subotkowski. The two met while at Connecticut's Millstone Nuclear Power Station almost 40 years ago. 

"I'm thankful to be able to come here and say happy birthday to Harry," Subotkowski said. 

Leon Williams, a Veteran Service Officer with the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs said he had been in contact with Lee for a while, but coming to the party was his first actual interaction with Senior.

"It's an honor to be in the presence of a federal veteran," Williams said. "Especially one that turns 100 years old. So, I am honored to be here today to celebrate with him."

Born in Saint George, South Carolina, Senior enlisted in the military fresh out of high school at just 17 years old.

Senior served for over 30 years in the Navy. He said half of his career was spent serving on the East Coast and the other on the West Coast in California, Connecticut and Key West. 

Senior said he was placed on the submarine force during World War II. After retiring, his experience with nuclear power got him a job working at Millstone.

Married for 26 years, Lee also recalled traveling with Senior for many of his Navy conventions.

Lee said that, in addition to being a dedicated vet, Senior was also a churchman with a great voice. 

"He used to sing beautifully. Back home they had him singing for funerals, and he was a deacon in the church," Lee said. 

Senior currently lives in a senior living facility, but Lee said that doesn't stop her from checking in on him frequently. 

"I'm still there and going to see about him really often," Lee said. "Sometimes I pop in I think a little too often. That's a part of going in to see about your loved ones." 

She said it's amazing to see him still be as active and present as he is.

"If you walked into the facility where he is and see other people, he's a blessing," Lee said.

 On his birthday, Senior said he is proud to say he has lived this long. But with his age, comes thoughts about his peers who may not have made it this far.

"I think about my age more when I go back to my old hometown," Senior said. "All the boys and the girls I knew, and kids, most of them are gone."

Senior said, after all this time, his age is just really starting to hit him 

"To tell the truth, it snuck up on me," Senior said. "I never did think about my age until about a couple years ago." 

Senior said he recalled a time when his godfather told him he would live to see 100 years, and now, those words came true. 

Senior looks forward to life each day. He said he's lucky to be living on this Earth. 

“For me...it's another day," Senior said.