Oldest Honor Guard In New York Continues To Serve His Country

CALVERTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A 90-year-old Army veteran in Floral Park, who fought and lived through three wars, continues to serve his nation.

CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported that Vincent DeMartino is the oldest Honor Guard in the state of New York. Every week he dons his dress blues and answers his own call to duty as he marches, presents flags, comforts families and honors the war dead with a 21-gun salute.

"It is the thing to do. To me it is payback – payback for what I got out of the service," DeMartino said.

DeMartino enlisted at the age of 17 to fight the Nazis in World War II as he served in the 95th Infantry Division under Gen. George Patton.

"Me and one other guy from Washington state are the only two left out of our platoon," DeMartino said. "At one time I used to write about 45 of them, and now sometimes I get Christmas cards from the spouses."

DeMartino is one of the few living Americans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. On Wednesday, veterans families of those three wars were escorted from the city of Calverton National Cemetery for a special ceremony, with DeMartino advancing the colors.

"My knees hurt. When I start moving, don't know my knees are hurting anymore because the adrenaline builds up in you," DeMartino said. "You know you are doing something right, you are proud of what you are doing."

This 90-year-old servant to his country makes it his mission to mark the passing of our fallen heroes with his personal salute.

"I love doing what I'm doing, just an honor to be able to serve them," he said. "Hope someday someone will do it for me."

DeMartino also volunteers at the Northport VA and serves as a chaplain at the VFW post in Albertson.