WWII veteran celebrates 97th birthday with a parade

OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – A local church celebrated a member’s 97th birthday today.

The Oak Hill Baptist Church has done a variety of things to make sure community members don’t feel left out during the pandemic. Today was Aubrey Allen’s birthday, and the church wasn’t about to let the virus keep him and his family from celebrating.

“I know my dad is loved in this community, but for them to come out here on a cold day and just make that moment real for him for his birthday and acknowledge his birthday is very special,” said Shawna Sparks.

About a dozen cars rode past Allen’s house, honking horns and delivering gifts to the World War 2 veteran.

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Kassie Simmons
Kassie Simmons joined the team in January 2019 as a weekend journalist. She graduated from Virginia Tech in just two and a half years with a BA in multimedia journalism. During her short time at Virginia Tech, she served as the editor for the university’s chapter of The Tab. Kassie was named the top reporter for The Tab at Virginia Tech on multiple occasions and made the list for the top 30 reporters for The Tab in the U.S. She also studied theater performance and minored in creative writing. Before coming to WOAY, Kassie interned at WSLS in Roanoke and the Tidewater Review in her hometown of West Point, Va. She has loved following breaking news since her childhood and has a passion for delivering the stories people care most about. Kassie is excited to be working in Southern West Virginia and looks forward to all the adventures ahead of her. You can follow her on Twitter at @KassieLSimmons and like her page on Facebook. If you have a story you think she should check out, send her an email at ksimmons@woay.com.