WWII vet gets Mardi Gras birthday tribute in Long Beach

LONG BEACH -- Retired Army Staff Sergeant Charles B. Kelly celebrated his 93rd birthday with all the pomp and circumstance a native-born war hero could ask for Saturday at the head of the Long Beach Carnival Association's Mardi Gras parade. Kelly served in World War II in Gen. George Patton's 7th Armored Division, known as the Lucky 7th Armored. Kelly was in the Battle of St. Vith, which was part of the Battle of the Bulge, in the Ruhr Valley, Germany.

"He is an amazing hero," said Bob Lankford, who provided a Willys military jeep to convey Kelly in the parade. "He was in the most crucial campaign of World War II under the greatest general we've ever had."

Kelly is a lifelong resident of Long Beach and has been married to his wife, Lois Kelly, for 69 years. State Rep. Richard Bennett stopped by to visit with Kelly just before the parade started to wish him a happy birthday and thank him for his service. Bennett said it was his intention to introduce a proclamation in the Mississippi House recognizing Kelly's contributions.

Kelly was escorted by the Keesler Air Force Base Honor Guard and the Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis high schools' Air Force Jr. ROTC Honor Guard. He rode with his Pass Christian High ROTC sponsors, 1st Lt. Jacob Huffman and Maj. Darryl Doukas.

"We are honored to pay tribute to such a deserving World War II hero veteran in our City's Mardi Gras parade," Mayor Billie Skellie said in a statement.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/02/4444652/wwii-vet-gets-mardi-gras-birthday.html#storylink=cpy