Happy 105th birthday to Thousand Oaks resident and veteran Vernon Ricks! Dozens of police, firefighters, fellow veterans, and friends and family turned out to help him celebrate his big day.

When WWII broke out, “only two people from Burbank got drafted, and I was one of them,” he recalled. In the Army, Corporal Ricks was an anti-aircraft gunner who took part in campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines. He earned two Bronze Stars and a ribbon for helping liberate the Philippines.

Thank you for your service, and happy birthday Cpl. Ricks!

#birthday #thousandoaks #happy105 #usarmy #wwiiveteran #veterans