The secret to reaching 100 according to centenarians veterans [Video]

Seated with their families, 14 Ottawa centenarians listened to a loud rendition of happy birthday, a song they’ve all been sung at least 100 times already.

“That’s a milestone we stand in awe of,” said Duff Sullivan, a retired Major General and a member of the Perley Health board of directors. “Whenever someone arrives at that point in a long life, there is no better time to have a great celebration.”

Every year, the Perley Health seniors’ residence and community care facility hosts a special celebration for its residents aged 100 or more. On Wednesday, 14 residents were honoured, nine of them military veterans.

100-year-old Roland Lalonde enlisted in the army at age 20 and in August 1944, he landed on the Italian coast.

“My army life was just like any other army life,” he said. “I served in Italy with the royal 22nd regiment, of course, and I participated until the liberation …