As Mendota veterans passed by during the Sweet Corn Festival parade on Sunday, they made a surprising detour. They gave a big salute to a veteran who was soon celebrating his 100th birthday.

Willard Simpson of Franklin Grove was in Mendota to enjoy the festival and visit family friend Deanna Falchook, a Mendota resident who was involved in the big surprise. Members of VFW Post 4079 marched to the Falchooks’ home to greet Simpson and then shake his hand and congratulate him on his upcoming 100th birthday on Sept. 3.

“The VFW came to my porch because Willard sits on the porch every year,” Falchook said. “It brought him to tears because it was a surprise to him.”

“Willard would love to meet other centenarians, especially if they have military experience, and just sit down with them for dinner or breakfast on his birthday. That’s one of his only dreams.”

Finding a veteran to help Simpson blow out 100 candles could be a challenge. According to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, which maintains veterans data, there are 4,307 World War II veterans still living in Illinois.

Simpson joined the Army in December 1943, a few months before the Normandy landings, and served as a corporal with the 103rd Regiment B of the 28th Division. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge with General George S. Patton and remained in the Army until his discharge on February 28, 1946.

The Sunday surprise was Falchook’s idea, but Bill Hunt, former commander of the Mendota VFW Post, was all for it.

“This is a big moment for this man and we decided to honor him,” said Hunt, who has never personally known a World War II veteran who lived to be 100.