His department brotherhood helped Kelly celebrate with balloons, signs and fire engines in his Northwest D.C. neighborhood. The fire department tweeted a video of the celebration on Thursday night.
Kelly was a firefighter in the District from 1948 to 1971. Before that he served in World War II. A life well lived as a dedicated public servant.
Kelly said he feels good at 104 years old, and even had the chance to get back behind the wheel of a firetruck during the birthday festivities.
Neighbor Don Lucas said Mr. Kelly still shovels snow in the neighborhood and won’t accept help.
“Every time I try to help he shoos me away. He would rather do the snow. I can’t even get my 15-year-old son to do the snow,” Lucas said.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelley Sr. was also on hand for the celebration.
“It’s an honor to meet him and he is a legend in this city,” he said.
Learning how to rise above a difficult beginning often starts with recognizing the power of self-expression. Growing up in a strict, troubled Midwestern household, he spent much…
When we finally moved into the little fixer-upper we had spent years scraping, saving, and repairing, it felt like the culmination of a dream we built board…
If you’ve ever stepped into a public restroom and wondered why the stall doors hover inches above the floor, you’re not alone. Many people assume the gap…
Grief has a way of distorting reality, making even ordinary moments feel surreal. When I learned my sister Sarah had passed away shortly after giving birth, the…
In the hum of conversation, clinking glasses, and low restaurant lighting, some moments rise above the background noise in unexpected ways. One of the most striking is…