WW II Vet celebrates 100th birthday July 4th
“It feels like being blessed.”
That’s how Archie Moczygemba, a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, said it felt to celebrate his 100th birthday, on the 248th anniversary of our nation’s independence, surrounded by family members, friends and even members of the media, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Meeting Center.
“Especially seeing the people that are in my life,” said Moczygemba, who served as part of the 2nd Marine Division occupation force assigned to Nagasaki, Japan, just after the atomic bomb was dropped. “You know, you don’t realize how many people you really affect, and this is the biggest part of it.”
Nearly 100 people turned out for the three-hour, come-and-go celebration to commemorate Moczygema’s 100 years of life and to trade stories about the veteran and practical joker, who served his country both as a marine and as an Army soldier for 22 years.
Son Jimmy Moczygemba said his father, who still lives at his home in Taylor, where he has resided since 1998, still strives for independence.
“His license is good until he is 104,” he said with a laugh. “He said, ‘I could still drive if it’s a real emergency.’ I said if you drive, it would be a real emergency.’” All kidding aside, Jimmy Moczygemba said he is incredibly proud of his father for many reasons—from his military service to his subsequent career in the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“He has done a lot of good things for a lot of people,” Jimmy Moczygemba said. “I put it on Facebook about his 100th birthday for DPS, and 380 people commented on it. They remembered him … and couldn’t say enough good things about him.”
Not to mention the fact that July 2 was declared “Archie Moczygemba Day” by the Williamson County Commissioners at their regular meeting on that same day, where they and his state Representative Caroline Harris Davila honored Moczygemba for his many years of service to our country. (Look for a full story in the Wednesday, July 10 e-edition of the Taylor Press) Nonetheless, Jimmy Moczygemba said his father has never sought his own glory, and he was humbled by the honor.
“For his military service, he would always say, ‘As a group we deserved the recognition, but as individuals, I don’t think it’s really appropriate,’” he said.
During the birthday party, many well-wishers stood in line to speak with the man of the hour, who held court in his wheelchair next to photos of himself in his younger days, as well as newspaper clippings and other ephemera documenting his many honors and achievements.
Tiffany Moczygemba, who is married to Jonathan Moczygemba, his grandson, drove with her family seven hours to attend the birthday party of her beloved grandfather- in-law “He is awesome,” she said. “Our son is military also, so the two of them can sit and talk for hours about everything, all their past stories and military stories, so it has been fun to watch them have that unique bond.”
Son Richard Moczygemba said for many years as a child, he believed his dad—ever the prankster—that the Fourth of July celebrations were for his birthday.
“Every July 4 they had extra barbecue and fireworks and all this other stuff,” Richard Moczygemba recalled. “He would say, when we were little, ‘See they are doing this all for me.’ We didn’t know any different because it was his birthday.”
All joking aside, Archie Moczygemba said it has been a wonderful ride, and he is counting every blessing.
“I have managed to enjoy life, even today,” Moczygemba said. “Even with the falls, and life trying to intercept my good times, I don’t let them.”
