Georgia WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A Georgia veteran is celebrating a special milestone today: his 100th birthday.

Cleveland Tucker was born May 6, 1919 in Gabbageville, Georgia as the the seventh of fourteen children.

Tucker isn't your typical 100-year-old. He's not bedridden or confined to a wheelchair. In fact, he still cooks and cleans on his own.

During World War II, Tucker served as a cook.

"Most friend I had in were the army, I made friends as I was there. And by me handling food, I had quite a few," he said.

He says he remembers working at a drug store on Ponce De Leon, and says it was there where he was drafted in the army.

One of his more clear memories of the military was witnessing a building get bombed, and the ship he was on being torpedoed.

"They bombed our building we was in. Tore that building up. We just happened to be lucky," he said. "Wasn't nobody in the building worth nothing."

Tucker also says he proudly marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and visited the civil right legend's home and church on several occasions.

He says over the decades he's witnessed changes in our country and it truly warms his heart.

"It makes me feel good. It makes me feel good," he said.

And Tucker isn't the only person in his family with longevity. He has a younger sister still living at 98 years old.

The secret to his long life is no secret in all, he says it's the good Lord just letting him live.

"I just think the good Lord just blessed me, and he has his own reason for letting me stay here," he said.

Over the weekend, Tucker had a party with family and close friends.

Monday afternoon, he'll receive a proclamation during the Atlanta City Council meeting.