On January 24, 2021, our Someone 2 Know - Charlie Montanaro of Carson Valley - celebrated his 100th birthday. On January 28th, he's marking the momentous occasion by jumping out of an airplane.
No joke!
The World War II veteran has stories for days, plenty of pep and a smile that will win you over, instantly.
We caught up with Charlie and his multitude of fans at Chicago Mike’s Pizza in Gardnerville, where cars lined up for socially distanced greetings. There were banners, American flags, a couple of hound dogs and a big, cheerful group of happy birthday singers.
Because turning 100 is certainly something to celebrate.
"Everybody has just bent over backwards to make sure I'm happy,” Montanaro chokes up, as he looks around, “I'm just as happy as I would be if I had good sense,“ he concludes with a light laugh.
Montanaro has a good sense of humor - and he says, plenty of good luck.
"I've always said that I wore out four guardian angels- and I'm on my fifth one."
Charlie served and survived World War II as a Merchant Marine. He remembers being out in the ocean, preparing to invade Japan.
"Anchored off of Iwo Jimo, we were loaded with nothing but ammunition."
Fate intervened when the Enola Gay dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets, who was once a schoolmate of Charlie’s. He credits Tibbets with saving his life.
"If we had gone, I wouldn't be here,” he shares, eyes wide and voice choking up, “We didn't stand a chance."
Just two photos exist of Montanaro's early days - one, as a toddler - in the early 1920's- and another when he attended Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois. The rest were stolen, Charlie says, when thieves took his car when it was loaded for a move. When it was recovered, two Bibles were left in the car, photos were tucked inside.
Soon Montanaro will have some unique photos to add to his scrap book - when, accompanied by some of Honor Flight Nevada's best, Charlie will go sky diving in Eloy, Arizona.
Montanaro even told Nevada’s governor about his plans when Mr. Sisolak called to wish him a happy 100th birthday;
"He said 'I understand you're ‘gonna parachute jump', I said 'Yes, I am', he says 'You've got more guts than I have'.” That had everyone in earshot, laughing."
Charlie also has plenty of optimism - and unshakeable appreciation.
"The best part of my life has been right here, in Nevada"
To watch his sky dive, visit this link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRW2lcZ346M&feature=youtu.be
