At the most recent count, Gaston Pettigrew recieved over 1,700 cards for his 100th birthday on Friday. (Bruno Giguère/Radio-Canada) Pettigrew was just 18 years old when he enlisted in April 1943.

Pat DeReamer, who just turned 95, and Mary Kroger, who is turning 95 in May, told Washington Post the tradition started when they were 14 years old ... the card first, on her April 1 birthday ...