• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

WWII veteran who asked for 100 birthday cards for his 100th birthday gets thousands

1:18
WWII veteran asks for 100 cards for his 100th birthday and gets thousands
Brookdale Midwestern
ByElisa Tang
March 02, 2019, 9:03 AM

World War II veteran Joe Cuba had one request for his 100th birthday: to receive 100 birthday cards.

To his surprise, he received not 100, but thousands of letters, photographs and gifts from people all around the world.

It all started Feb. 21 when the Brookdale Midwestern Retirement Community, where Cuba is a resident, posted a sweet photo of him asking for 100 cards to mark his 100th birthday March 2.

I thank all of you good people for wishing me well. You're all so gracious to remember me.

The post immediately went viral online and Cuba started receiving letters from people in countries as far as England and Poland.

Related Articles

MORE: Grandma says viral iceberg photo gone wrong was her chance to be 'queen'

WWII veteran Joe Cuba is photographed here with his sign asking for 100 cards for this 100th birthday.
Brookdale Midwestern

"There's so many wonderful people that think about me," Cuba told "Good Morning America." "I really enjoyed it."

Jarvis Polvado, executive director of Brookdale Midwestern, told "GMA" the acts of kindness "couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."

PHOTO: Brookdale Midwestern assisted living resident, Joe Cuba, has received thousands of cards, pictured here, since a photograph of him asking for 100 cards for his birthday was posted on February 21st.
Brookdale Midwestern retirement community resident, Joe Cuba, has received thousands of cards, pictured here, since a photograph of him asking for 100 cards for his birthday was posted on February 21st.
Brookdale Midwestern

"It's probably what makes it the most heartwarming," Polvado said.

Editor’s Picks

Custodian gets surprise celebration after heart, kidney transplant

  • Feb 28, 2019

Grandma says iceberg 'throne' photo gone wrong was her chance to be 'queen'

  • Mar 01, 2019

Cardiac nurse didn't realize she was having a heart attack. What women should know.

  • Jan 03, 2023

The WWII veteran said he feels "fortunate" for all 100 years of his life, including his two years of service in the United States Army Air Forces as a staff sergeant. He received touching cards from fellow veterans with whom he served.

"I'm glad to be here after the war," he said. "I thank all of you good people for wishing me well. You're all so gracious to remember me."

Related Articles

MORE: Students throw beloved custodian surprise party after his return to school from a heart, kidney transplant

As for the most valuable life lessons Cuba has learned to share with others today, he said people today should "take care of themselves, and watch what they're doing, and keep a sharp mind ... just stay happy, and do what you like to do -- and stay out of trouble, of course!"

WWII veteran, Joe Cuba, is pictured here at Brookdale Midwestern assisted living community ahead of his 100th birthday on March 2nd.
Brookdale Midwestern

Editor’s Picks

Custodian gets surprise celebration after heart, kidney transplant

  • Feb 28, 2019

Grandma says iceberg 'throne' photo gone wrong was her chance to be 'queen'

  • Mar 01, 2019

Cardiac nurse didn't realize she was having a heart attack. What women should know.

  • Jan 03, 2023

Up Next in Living—

Barbie introduces 1st doll with Type 1 diabetes

July 8, 2025

July's full buck moon is arriving: What it means for your zodiac

July 8, 2025

Shelter dog credited with recognizing man's seizure gets adopted

July 8, 2025

How to help victims of deadly Texas floods

July 7, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News