James Bollich, a survivor of the Bataan Death March, was honored with a car parade as he celebrated his 104th birthday on Friday. (Acadiana Advocate photos By Brad Bowie)
World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor James Bollich and his daughter, Melinda Gilbert, watch as a car parade passes by to celebrate his 104th birthday on Friday, Aug. 15,, at his home in Lafayette. (Acadiana Advocate photos By Brad Bowie)
Representative Phillip R. DeVillier, the 70th Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, right, presents World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor James Bollich with a proclamation during a celebration of Bollich’s 104th birthday on Friday, Aug. 15, at his home in Lafayette. (Acadiana Advocate photos By Brad Bowie)
By Joel Thompson
The Acadiana Advocate
Clouds threatened rain Friday afternoon, but it didn’t stop friends, family, and Purple Heart veterans from honoring the 104th birthday of World War II veteran Jim Bollich of Lafayette.
With an American flag adorning both sides of his walker, Bollich showed an attentiveness and alertness to his surrounding that defied his advanced age.
He cracked jokes ...
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