AMARILLO — Today, Chairman of the Veterans Land Board George P. Bush asked the community for help in ensuring WWII and Korean War Veteran William (Bud) McDearman Jr. receives 100 birthday wishes for his centennial birthday.

Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus and an abundance of caution for our Texas Veterans, Commissioner Bush is asking Texans to send virtual birthday wishes to this Navy and Air Force Veteran rather than cards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that COVID-19 can spread through and live on surfaces for extended amounts of time. Therefore, sending physical cards to the Ussery-Roan Veterans home is not advised at this time.

However, it's not every day that a WWII and Korean War Veteran turns 100 years old. Commissioner Bush is asking for the community to come together and ensure that, despite the circumstances, this courageous Veteran's 100th birthday is properly celebrated.  Community members are asked to post a video wishing Bud a happy birthday in the comments. Our team will make sure he see’s them.

Bud was born in Hamby, Texas and served in the Navy from 1937-1950. He then served in the Air Force from 1950-1959 and retired as a Sr. Master Sergeant. His wife Millie passed away in December of 2015. He now lives in the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo, Texas.

On Wednesday, April 8, Bud will turn 100 years young. Please join in celebrating this momentous occasion by posting a birthday wish in the comments of his birthday post on Twitter and Facebook. Use the hashtag #HappyBirthdayBud on Twitter. Let’s make sure he receives 100 birthday wishes for his 100th birthday!

Below is an example virtual birthday wish to Bud:

Happy 100th birthday Bud! Thank you for your service!

Please consider sharing our post on Twitter and Facebook to help spread the word about William (Bud) McDearman's 100th birthday!

The VLB Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term care for Texas Veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Conveniently located across Texas, each first-class facility is designed to enhance quality of life with a clean, caring and dignified setting appropriate to those men and women who have served our country with honor. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush serves as the Chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board.