Raul Zuniga turned 102 On June 15 this year. One of Zuniga’s celebrations happened at Culvers in Huntley.
Richard Meyers, a manager at Culvers said, “It was a magical moment in time.”
WWII veteran, Raul Zuniga celebrating his 102nd birthday at the Huntley Huntley Veterans Memorial in downtown Huntley. (Photo provided)
He continued, “We celebrated Raul’s birthday with a cake and many friends. We posted the celebration inviting everyone to stop by and wish Raul a happy birthday. We had a parade at 11:30, saluting this Veteran’s Service in World War II. We had the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Huntley Police Department, Huntley Fire Protection District, Huntley American Legion, Patriot Guard Riders, Inc., and American Legion Riders Department of Illinois participate. It was something to see.”
Zuniga served in Europe from 1943 to 1946. He was part of the US 9th Armored Division that captured the suspension of Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen in March of 1945. This capture of the bridge gave the Allies a foothold on the eastern bank of the river and opened Germany to invasion. More than 8,000 men crossed the bridge in the first twenty-four hours after its capture. The successful mission saved thousands of American lives. Zuniga after the successful capture drove a truck carrying equipment through enemy fire.
Zuniga fortunately avoided these enemy attacks, but he still experienced other pitfalls.
Zuniga responded, “No, the trucks were camouflaged, but I did get hurt after the war. After the war, there was a lot of trash and garbage. We were assigned to clean up. We started a pile of trash on fire, but it blew up and spread quickly. I was pulled out to safety, but I spent three months in the hospital.”
After the war, Zuniga pursued another long career.
Zuniga said, “I worked at Western Electric at the Cable Plant. I worked there for 31 years. I had an accident working with the cable, my arm got mangled. I was in the hospital for a year.”
Jessica Howard, Zuniga’s daughter, shared more about her dad.
“This man worked three jobs. My parents had twelve children, ten survived, but they made sure we had a vacation every year. We had many family picnics. He’s our hero,” she said.
Zuniga has 27 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.
Howard said, “His newest great-grandson, Antonio, was born on his birthday. They are close by in Elgin. My dad was married for 62 years to my mother, Virginia. He misses her terribly.”
Zuniga said, “My entire family came to celebrate my 100th birthday. It was a big party. We are going to do it again when I turn 105.”
What’s Zuniga’s secret?
Zuniga said, “I don’t drink water. I have milk and coffee. I also love doing jigsaw puzzles. The man upstairs is keeping me here until he’s ready for me.”
