Harrison World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday with a bona fide parade
A slight drizzle didn’t dampen Howard Traenkner’s party on Saturday.
A parade was held in his honor for his 100th birthday outside his Harrison home.
There were police cars and ambulances and firetrucks. More than 60 vehicles filled with old friends and family members drove by with their windows down, shouting “Happy Birthday!”
A float with a larger-than-life inflatable birthday cake rode by.
Attendees were given cupcakes and candy cars with “100” on them. There were also Hershey kisses.
“That was some party,” said Traenkner, a World War II Navy veteran. “Turning 100 only happens once in a lifetime.”
He’s right about that.
Traenkner served two years, including 12 months on the USS Chiwawa AO 68, a 750-foot-long ship that traveled from Virginia to Texas to Japan, back to the United States and then to France before returning to the states for good.
Traenkner and his brothers’ names are engraved at the newly refurbished Harrison Honor Roll memorial, an honor he said means the world to him. He and his late brothers’ names — George, who was in the Army, and Robert, a pilot in the Army Air Corps — and their years of service are etched on a bench nearby.
Traenkner’s dress blues are adorned with a propeller patch and bold red stripes representing his service as a motor machinist striker and a fireman 1st class. He was presented with an American flag Saturday.
Traenkner enlisted in 1944 after receiving a letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt saying “you have been selected” into the service. The Navy was chosen for him, he said.
Traenkner said Navy experience allowed him to meet people from all over the world, many who became friends and with whom he gathered for reunions.
He had married Frances — the love of his life — in 1943, a year before he was drafted. Frances died in 2008.
After the war, Traenkner earned a bachelor’s degree with financial assistance afforded him through the GI Bill. He went on to get a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Pitt.
He started as a machinist apprentice at Alcoa and worked his way up to materials manager. He retired in 1982 after 40 years.
An avid golfer until he was 90, Traenkner was president of the Brackenridge Heights Country Club, where he met Don Lamparski of Harrison more than 50 years ago.
“I was dressed as Uncle Sam for a Fourth of July party at the golf club and Howard mentioned that constantly,” said Lamparski, who played the part again Saturday. “This was the perfect opportunity to re-live those memories. Howard is a great role model and a joy to be around.”
Traenkner was born in 1920 — during the time of the ongoing 1918 pandemic — and is living through the covid-19 pandemic.
His niece, Amy Lytle of Murrysville, had the idea to do a big party, but because of the pandemic it became an outdoor parade. Lytle’s mother, Janet Simpson, is Traenkner’s sister.
“It went great,” Lytle said.”My uncle deserved a day like this.”
“It was a success,” said Traenkner, who wore a face mask with an American flag. “I never saw anything like it. For all of those people to give up their Saturday to come to this parade, means the world to me.”
Lytle contacted Bill Poston, former Harrion commissioner, who is a second cousin to Traenkner. Poston called Jim Erb, supervisor for Citizen’s Hose ambulance service in Harrison to help with planning.
Erb, of Harrison, said he made sure everyone’s face was covered. His niece Justi Naccarado, a senior at Burrell High School, sang the national anthem.
“I am glad that I know people and could help with this,” Erb said. “Howard is from the ‘greatest generation,’ and what he did for this country is admirable. He is a fine gentleman.”
“I don’t feel 100,” said Traenkner, who had dinner at the Anchor Inn in Harrison on Friday to celebrate his actual birthday with salad and coconut cream pie and a chocolate martini.
Bill Jeffcoat, of the Marine Corps League Detachment from Springdale with Jay Rodriguez and May Proaska presented the flag.
“What an honor it was to give this gentleman what he deserves,” said Jeffcoat, a Vietnam veteran. “It was a touching ceremony. We were honored to give him the respect he deserves. It was a small thing to represent a very big thing he did for all of us.”
“The flag is beautiful,” Traenkner said. “I was proud to serve under that flag. I waved to all the people. I can’t believe I am 100 years old. I can’t believe it.
”If I have to live another 100 years, I would want the same party.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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