It’s an extra special Veterans Day for a Marine who now lives in Hyde Park.On Friday, WWII veteran Jay MaGee turns 99, and he has some great stories to tell. “I think that the good Lord looks after you and leads you, and you do what the good lord told you to do. So, I’m happy,” MaGee said. A stroll down memory lane with MaGee is like sitting in for a history lesson that covers the last century.He met the first President George Bush at the White House once, but this humble, amazing man’s greatest honor was serving America as a Marine in WWII and still being here all these years later to talk about it.”It means that I was lucky and I didn’t get killed. And I was able to satisfy the wants of the people,” MaGee said. Jay enlisted as a gunner in a machine gun platoon the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed. he fought some intense battles with Japanese forces.It was a world away from Cincinnati, where he graduated from Withrow High School and then came back home and settled in Mariemont after the war, marrying the love of his life, Edna, and raising three boys. Two of whom are still alive, including Jay Jr. “My dad has had a full and wonderful life,” his son said. It’s safe to say, Jay is one proud son. “My dad has been all over the world. He’s always been a great dad to me and my brothers,” Jay Jr. said. On Veterans Day, Jay turns 99 years old. Since ice cream is his favorite treat, you could say Friday is a double dip of special.”I think I did pretty well. I tried to do what I was supposed to do, and I think I succeeded because I’m sitting here and nobody else is,” MaGee said.Jay’s wife, Edna, died in 2014.He’s had three kids, nine grandkids and 14- great-grandkids. His best friend Bob died a year ago at age 100.Jay says for a birthday gift, he wants at least another year to match his buddy at 100.
It’s an extra special Veterans Day for a Marine who now lives in Hyde Park.
On Friday, WWII veteran Jay MaGee turns 99, and he has some great stories to tell.
“I think that the good Lord looks after you and leads you, and you do what the good lord told you to do. So, I’m happy,” MaGee said.
A stroll down memory lane with MaGee is like sitting in for a history lesson that covers the last century.
He met the first President George Bush at the White House once, but this humble, amazing man’s greatest honor was serving America as a Marine in WWII and still being here all these years later to talk about it.
“It means that I was lucky and I didn’t get killed. And I was able to satisfy the wants of the people,” MaGee said.
Jay enlisted as a gunner in a machine gun platoon the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed. he fought some intense battles with Japanese forces.
It was a world away from Cincinnati, where he graduated from Withrow High School and then came back home and settled in Mariemont after the war, marrying the love of his life, Edna, and raising three boys. Two of whom are still alive, including Jay Jr.
“My dad has had a full and wonderful life,” his son said.
It’s safe to say, Jay is one proud son.
“My dad has been all over the world. He’s always been a great dad to me and my brothers,” Jay Jr. said.
On Veterans Day, Jay turns 99 years old. Since ice cream is his favorite treat, you could say Friday is a double dip of special.
“I think I did pretty well. I tried to do what I was supposed to do, and I think I succeeded because I’m sitting here and nobody else is,” MaGee said.
Jay’s wife, Edna, died in 2014.
He’s had three kids, nine grandkids and 14- great-grandkids.
His best friend Bob died a year ago at age 100.
Jay says for a birthday gift, he wants at least another year to match his buddy at 100.
