How two WWII veterans older than 100 met and became friends
It's proof you can make friends at any age: A couple of World War II veterans from Minnesota and Wisconsin struck up a friendship well after they turned 100.
Les Schrenk and Reynolds Tomter's get-togethers are important — and historic.
WCCO's John Lauritsen shows us how Les and Reynolds met, and why their get-togethers are important-- And historic.
On an early spring morning, 101-year-old Schrenk leaves his Bloomington home and heads for Wisconsin.
"Always look forward to going somewhere," Schrenk said.
He's on his way to Pigeon Falls to see 107-year-old Tomter.
"He is special, that guy," Tomter said. "He's first class. He is so down-to-earth about everything."
Travel is how Schrenk and Tomter became friends in the first place. They met last June at the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, and quickly realized they only live a couple of hours from each other.
For these two, age is just a number. But it's also a long-running joke because Tomter is six years older.
"He is a whippersnapper. He is," Tomter said. "He is so well-built yet."
They get together just to shoot the breeze. And up until last summer, Tomter could still drive his car and his golf cart. So, he gave Schrenk the nickel tour of his hometown.
"Reckless as hell," Schrenk said with a laugh. "No, he's a very, very good driver."
Past the age of 100, there aren't many people who can relate to your life experiences. So, it's inevitable that their respective roles in World War II come up. Tomter was a merchant marine. Schrenk was in the Air Force and his plane was shot down during the war. He spent a year as a German POW.
"We came through the same generation," Schrenk said.
"Of course, as you sit around and visit, there's another thing that comes up and another thing that comes up, so it's a non-stop thing," Tomter said.
Conversation carries over to lunch in downtown Pigeon Falls.
Together, these two are local celebrities. And they are always happy to chat with a fellow veteran, like Brian Lyga.
"Just an awesome experience. Knowing Reynolds for my entire life and now meeting Les for the first day, it's just great having these guys around," Lyga said.
As the afternoon wears on, the two friends can't help but talk about their trip to Normandy. And how they were treated by those they helped liberate.
"And they all want to come and shake your hand. And they look you square in the eye," Tomter said. "'You people won the war for us.'"
"Even little school kids will come and shake your hand and, 'Thank you for saving my country,'" Schrenk said.
Before Schrenk heads back to Minnesota, promises are made that they'll see each other again. Whether that happens or not, Schrenk and Tomter are proving one thing: you're never too old to make a friend.
"It can be a pretty lonely life if you don't have a friend. And a good friend, like this guy," Tomter said.
"How many times do I get to meet a 107, almost 108-year-old man that's as sharp as Reynolds. It's really an honor to know somebody like that," Schrenk said.
Tomter turns 108 on Saturday, and he's currently the 34th-oldest person in the United States.
Both he and Schrenk said they hope that Minnesota schools take time to teach about the sacrifices that were made during World War II.
