Just two days before Veteran’s Day, on Nov. 9, Bruno Lijoi celebrated a milestone birthday earning him a spot in the centenarian club; that’s right, Lijoi turned 100 years old. A veteran of World War II and a longtime member of American Legion Post 449, the Farmingdale resident took to Main Street’s Village Green on Sunday, Nov. 11, with his wife Mary for the village’s Veterans Day ceremony.
Lijoi’s story begins in Calabria, Italy, where he was born in 1918. He came with his family to the United States when he was 7, learned English and went on to graduate from Brooklyn Tech High School in 1938. Just three years later, at age 22, he decided to join the military draft.
He continued to serve in World War II in the Pacific, working his way up to Captain, and fought in the Battle of Peleliu—a two-month battle that resulted in more casualties than any other amphibious assault in American military history.
After returning to Long Island after nearly five years at war, Lijoi worked for Arma and Grumman where he secured two patents.
This summer, Lijoi was joined by Jacob DeGrom in front of the crowd at Citifield as the New York Mets pitcher presented Lijoi with a flag in honor of his age and service to his country.
With a century under his belt, Lijoi has more wisdom than ever and stated that working hard is the key to life.
“Do whatever you think you can do best and then do your best,” he said. “You have to work hard.”
