world war 2 vet celebrates his 100th birthday

Imagine living to see a second century in your lifetime. Well, Long time Palisade local Garrett Mathes doesn't need to imagine as he celebrated his 100th birthday with five generations of family this past Sunday September 4th. Garrett Mathes Has 7 sons and 3 daughters who all have many children and grandchildren of their own. Garrett’s grandson Dusty Mathes says “one of his greatest accomplishments in life is the fact that he has so much family.” Some traveled over 797 miles by car to celebrate the amazing life lived. Over 100 family members attended his birthday this past weekend. Not only was this a celebration but a reunion. William Seriani, Garrett Mathes’s great-grandson states “I got to see family I haven't seen since papa’s 90th birthday 10 years ago.” Many of Garrett's children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren grew up in palisade and have attended palisade highschool.

Garrett was born in Oklahoma on September 14 of 1922. When he was young he and his dad raised race horses. The Talented and smart young man was the valedictorian of his class in Taloga Oklahoma. He moved to Colorado during the great depression with his family. While living in colorado world war two struck and Mr. Mathes enlisted in the army. Serving as an aircraft instructor and mechanic in the Army Air Corps. He married his wife Dolly Popovich of over 50 years in San Antonio Texas in 1945. He was stationed in Florida and flew bombers along the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

We are in awe of Garrett's extraordinary journey and hope to hear more about the great things yet to come to him and his family.