SEATTLE — World War II veteran Gene Moy typically spends his birthdays doing what he loves to do every week: dance.
But there was no big dance party Wednesday for the centenarian, who turned 103 years old, because of the ban on gatherings during the pandemic.
“I thought no, today’s his birthday, we’ve got to do something,” said one of his friends, Cari Murotani. “I said, even if it’s a caravan of one, I am going to do this.”
“I’m going to get balloons, I’m going to get posters, cards,” said Murotani. “And drive by his house and let him know I’m thinking about him.”
Murotani said Moy’s family and friends were on board for a special birthday celebration with social distancing in mind.
What followed was a caravan of birthday love, nearly two dozen vehicles in length, that rolled by Moy’s Seattle home twice Wednesday with horns honking and people screaming, ‘Happy birthday!’
“I feel great! I never expected all this,” said Moy, who watched the caravan from a chair in his driveway. “This is overwhelming, real big surprise.”
The veteran’s birthday plans were not the only celebration put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Moy, who the Chinese American Citizens Alliance said is the oldest living Chinese-American World War II veteran, was set to receive one of the nation’s highest honors later this month: the Congressional Gold Medal.
Moy’s family said their Washington, D.C., trip has been postponed.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen now,” said Corey Moy, Gene’s son.
But like his birthday caravan, Moy’s friends and family will be there to support him when he is finally honored in D.C.
“When they’re ready, I’ll be going,” said Moy.
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