It was a day full of celebration at The Bristal at Armonk! 

While the community commemorated Veterans Day with a beautiful ceremony honoring those who served our country, there was another reason to celebrate; two veteran residents celebrate milestone birthdays this month!

Rocco, who turned 100, served aboard the USS Aucilla, a tanker assigned the very dangerous task of providing fuel to ships in the forward battle areas. The Aucilla was stationed off the coast of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped. 

Peter, who is turning 101, served as a P-51 fighter pilot. He flew 27 missions over Germany, providing escort protection to B-52 bombers and destroying enemy planes while they were on the ground. 

The Bristal is honored to have men like Rocco and Peter living in the community. Although both men spoke humbly about their experiences in the war, everyone around them knows that they are true heroes. "I think of him as a national treasure," said Peter's son. 

Hear more about Rocco and Peter from Fox 5's coverage of the event:

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Many veterans don’t realize they may be eligible for Veterans Administration (VA) benefits that can help pay for senior living. Learn more about how VA benefits can help you pay for assisted living.