SoCal artist pays tribute to World War ll veteran for his 100th birthday

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- They're called "The Greatest Generation" for a reason, but as the years stretch on, the number of living World War II veterans is dwindling.

But, a Southern California artist is paying tribute to the surviving service men and women, and he has a special birthday gift for a local army veteran who's about to turn 100 years old.

"Day after day, the shells just barely missed me," Sgt. John T. "Jack" Moran said.

That is how U.S. Army and World War II veteran Moran recalled his combat days.

"In my platoon, we had 33 men, only two of us came back," he said. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery in combat.

"Explosions, rifle bullets, machine gun bullets, I have to believe that God wanted me home, wanted me back," Moran said.

Moran is turning 100 years old next week, and he can still recall what it was like fighting in the trenches of World War II.

"We were cold all the time. We were hungry all the time. We were scared all the time," he said.

Last week in Westlake Village, Moran reconnected with Steven Brousseau, a local artist who has a passion for interviewing and illustrating World War II veterans.

"In a way, it's like a window into the past," Brousseau said. "A window into what it was like to be there firsthand."

The pair first met in 2018 and stayed in touch over the years. With Moran's 100th birthday just days away, Brousseau had a very special gift for the veteran -- a portrait of Moran, with one side showing a young soldier and the other side depicting the experienced veteran.

"Did you draw this?" Moran asked.

"I did," Brousseau replied.

"Very fortunate that this kid lived long enough to be this person here," Moran said, pointing to both sides of the picture.

It's a touching gift that the former army sergeant says he'll treasure forever.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate this very much," he said with a smile.