Presidents honor centenarian vet

Louis C. Bakala, a resident at the Maine Veterans Home in Paris, breaks into a smile as Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jeff Hall presents him with a Coast Guard hat to replace one he lost. Bakula, a Korean War veteran, celebrated his 100th birthday in June and was presented a letter signed by President Barack Obama and a letter from the president of Korea.

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- Jose Leiva/Sun Journal

PARIS — Amid jokes with fellow veterans on Friday, 100-year-old Louis Bakala received recognition by the presidents of the United States and South Korea.

Bakala, who served in the Korean War, hit the century mark on June 28 in a celebration at the Maine Veterans Home. The party included family members, belly dancers and even a can of San Miguel beer, a Filipino brand and a favorite of Bakala's during his time in the service. The presidential letters that were supposed to be there were delayed, and a pair of Coast Guard officers delivered them in a separate presentation.

The gifts were a surprise to Bakala, who thought the gathering in the multipurpose room was a regular ice cream social.

“I just want to see his face,” said Carol Bakala, Louis' daughter, before the event.

Carol said Bakala served in the Coast Guard, Navy, and Navy Reserves as a radioman. He grew up in Readville, Mass., and after his service he worked as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning engineer. He has two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren.

Carol said that after his retirement, Bakala lived with her for six years. Her two foster sons came up with his nickname, “Gramps,” which has stuck at the Veterans Home.

Bakala served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1951, including time aboard a minesweeper. He said 2,000 mines were cleared from one town alone. Bakala also recalled evacuating troops from North Korea, and his daughter coming up and hugging him when he returned from the war.

“I'm just glad I'm home,” he said. “I never thought I'd come back home again.”

Bakala also served from 1935 to 1937 doing ice patrols with the Coast Guard. These trips were rife with SOS calls, whales, and icebergs, but on one occasion the ship was also hailed by the German airship Hindenburg.

“They were looking for the weather and the position, and we gave it to them,” he said.

The call was one of the last sent out from the Hindenburg. The next day, it exploded in Lakehurst, N.J., while trying to dock at a naval air station.

The presidential letters thank Bakala for his service in Korea.

“Your story is an important part of the American narrative, and I hope you will look back on your experiences and contributions with joy and pride,” read the note from President Barack Obama.

“We salute your courage in enduring the unimaginable horrors of war,” wrote President Lee Myung-Bak of the Republic of Korea. “We pay tribute to your commitment in protecting liberty and freedom.”

Bakala was also presented with a master chief Coast Guard hat to replace one that went missing. He chatted with his presenters about their Boston base, said he was interested in joining a radio club, and joked with residents from other branches of the military.

“We cleared the way for you guys, two ways,” he told one man. “Mines and guns.”

Carol said Bakala has written a book on his military experience and remains active at the Veterans Home. His activities include reading and painting miniature watercolors.

“The guy's just brilliant,” she said. “His memory's better than mine.”

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com