WWII veteran marks 100th birthday

Sep. 6--HIGH POINT -- World War II veteran Richard Hauser was surprised recently when a caravan of about 70 cars filled with family and friends celebrated his 100th birthday with a drive-thru at First Wesleyan Church Providence Place on Westchester Drive.

"He was amazed and very thankful that all those people came to honor him on his 100th birthday," said Catherine Perdue, Hauser's daughter.

Hauser grew up in High Point and operated Hauser's Cleaners for a number of years. He continued to work there after he sold it to Star Cleaners. Hauser was married for 71 years until his wife passed three years ago. The couple had three children, seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Hauser is well-known in his church and the surrounding community. He also received a letter from President Trump for his 100th birthday and his military service.

During his three years in the U.S. Army, Hauser served in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and in Europe. He was part of the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed more than 5,000 ships on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the coast of France's Normandy region. The Normandy invasion marked the beginning of the end of World War II in Europe.

"He gives God and many prayers credit for bringing him home from the war," Perdue said.

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