Surprise 96th birthday wishes for WWII veteran Alvin Skyles

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Aurora World War II veteran Alvin Skyles waves to family members who offered a surprise tribute on his 96th birthday Friday, July 24, outside his residence at Jennings Terrace in Aurora . His daughter, Dawn Johnson, is lower, left. Family members in the truck include grandson Michael Johnson, driving, Donelle Johnson, and great-granddaughter, Shelby. Jason Crane/The Voice

World War II veteran Alvin Skyles receives 96th birthday wishes from Aurora Police, members of Montgomery Memorial Post 7452 VFW, family, and friends, Friday, July 24 at Jennings Terrace in Aurora.

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Skyles was drafted in the U.S. Navy two weeks before his high school graduation.

He served on the USS Burrows DE-105 Destroyer which crossed the Atlantic Ocean 16 times as an escort to protect convoys.

The ship was part of the invasion of Nazi forces in Sicily, July 10, 1943 and Southampton, England with the rest of the Normandy Invasion force, June 6, 1944.

Skyles is the oldest member of VFW Post 7452 which planned the surprise tribute outside his residence.

— Jason Crane

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