World War II Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday, Veterans Day in O'Fallon

Francis Xavier Poster had more than one reason to celebrate on Friday, Nov. 11. 

The former United States Navy Senior Lt. was surprised with party at Delmar Gardens in O'Fallon, to celebrate his 100th birthday on Veterans Day. 

Poster was born in New York on Nov. 11, 1911. During World War II, he worked in the supply corporation. While in the military, he trained recruits at Camp Perry in Virginia and was sent to Harvard University to study war adjustment. 

After his four month training at Harvard, he was sent to Boston to help war plants transition from producing war materials to civilian products. Poster helped create newspaper ads and ballots. 

Today Poster lives in Delmar Gardens in O'Fallon. On Friday, his family shared some fun facts about Poster and his "magic number 11." 

• Poster was born on 11/11/1911
• He was married on the 11th
• In his 100 years, he's lived through 11 major wars and crisis in the United States
• In October, he saw the St. Louis Cardinals win their 11th World Series in 2011
• He has 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren

During his birthday celebration on Friday, Poster's guests enjoyed birthday cake and music hits from 1940s.  

In honor of his birthday and Veterans Day, Poster received:

• A proclamation from the presented by Mayor Bill Hennessy
• A birthday card from President Barack Obama
• A dozen roses from the Ladies Auxiliary at O'Fallon's VFW Post 5077
• Certificate of recognition from American Legion Post 388
• The O'Fallon Veterans Commission presented him with an American flag and a United States Navy flag

Poster said he didn't expect such a large celebration, but he was honored. 

"I'm completely overwhelmed--and that's an understatement, being overwhelmed," Poster said, thanking his guests on Friday before enjoying some cake and time with his family.