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When Irv Radatzke turned 100 last month, his longtime friend wanted to find a way to thank him for all he had done for the community.
The World War II veteran spent his birthday and Remembrance Day at New Westminster's Royal Columbian Hospital recovering from a fall. In an effort to lift his spirits, Moe Boyle launched Operation Irv, in which people were asked to send Christmas cards to centenarians.
The goal was for a 100-year-old man to receive 100 Christmas cards this holiday season. According to her, the plan exceeded all expectations. She estimates he received more than 700 cards.
Many of the cards also feature pictures of dogs, as Radatzke is known for his love of dogs.
The Great Patriotic War veteran also received postcards from schoolchildren.
One card from a 5th grade student says:
“Thank you for your service. You saved our country from the evil that has taken over our country. I hope you receive many gifts at the hospital. I wish you a fulfilling Christmas.”
He even received messages from as far away as the North Pole.
“We sent a card to Santa Claus and got a response,” Boyle said, adding that Radatzke was notified that he was on Santa's good list.
WATCH | A veteran's hospital stay prompted this Christmas card:
A 100-year-old British Columbia veteran who suffered a serious fall on Remembrance Day will soon happily step into his hospital room. Irv Radatzke's friend Moe Boyle organizes a public campaign, dubbed Operation Irv, to deliver 100 Christmas cards to centenarians.
She said the cards and messages brightened Radatzke's time in the hospital and will hopefully ease his transition to a nursing facility.
“I would read all the cards and he would say, ‘Oh, isn’t this great?’” she said.
“He said that. And I said, 'Look at this from a five-year-old, and I read what a five-year-old said and I said, 'Oh, that was great.'
“People just wanted to do it”
Radatzke and Boyle met more than 20 years ago when she was working as a crossing guard and struck up a conversation with Radatzke, who was walking his dogs nearby.
“He told me his age. I didn't believe him, so the next day he came with his driver's license to prove his age – and by then they had become friends forever,” she told CBC. On the coast last month.
Over the years of their friendship, Boyce said, she saw him help in countless ways.
“Whether it was building a fence or planting flowers, you could always rely on him,” she said.
“He never asked for anything in return. This man is so humble. He truly is the sweetest person on Earth.”
In honor of his 100th birthday, the city of New Westminster declared November 13 “Irv Radatzke Day.” Boyle said the veteran The birthday was celebrated by King Charles and Governor General Mary Simon. British Columbia Premier David Eby also sent birthday wishes.
Boyle said the Christmas card campaign is another way to honor Radatzke.
“People just wanted to do it, they wanted to get joy from just sending a card,” she said. “People who don’t know him, people who know him, people who want to meet him, people who respect him. And they were all ready to do it.”
One of Boyle's favorite letters came from a student at a New Westminster school.
“Your presence in this area is one of the things that has always made this area so great. Your smile, laughter and generosity.” [have] affected us all. We smiled more and more because of you.”
