Howard Keskitalo’s military photo is pictured. Keskitalo was one of eight children born to Finnish immigrants in a log cabin in Republic. His upbringing on an 80-acre farm led to lifelong habits including bravery, ingenuity and teamwork. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — On Veterans Day it is appropriate to honor those in all branches of the military who have served our country and take note of their sacrifice, bravery and determination.

And, as any Upper Peninsula native could tell you, a little “sisu” doesn’t hurt either.

In fact, when a World War II hero — a Republic native of Finnish decent turns 100 — it takes more than a COVID-19 pandemic to stop the celebration.

Centenarian Howard Keskitalo was surprised with a birthday parade past his longtime home in Batavia, Illinois, last month.

The event was led by the Patriots Guard from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, his daughter Jean Keskitalo said.

“(He) was able to greet and speak to many participants at a social distance,” she said. “Many neighbors, family members and friends decorated their cars and had a great time,”

Keskitalo served in the 388th Bomb Group and the 563rd Bomb Squadron as a navigator.

As a first lieutenant in the Army Air Force, he participated in four major campaigns — Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland as well as 35 tactical missions during the war.

Operation Overlord, the Allies’ offensive during the Normandy invasion, was dependent on the use of air power in all forms. Keskitalo’s navigation skills were key as the 388th led the entire 8th Air Force on June 6, 1944 — now known as D-Day — when nearly 7,000 U.S. and British ships and craft carrying close to 160,000 troops were able to surprise German commanders on five beaches along 50 miles of French coastline referred to as the Normandy region.

The invasion, according to History.com, was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. By August of that year, all of northern France had been liberated.

Because of his contribution to the effort, Keskitalo named a Knight in the French Legion of Honor 73 years later in 2017 by Deputy Consul General of France, Frederic Chole.

Growing up on his family’s farm in Republic created an inspired work ethic and a respect for teamwork in Keskitalo.

“The family worked as a unit to make the farm a success and to provide money enough for an adequate living,” he said.

Easy was not a word you could use to describe Howard’s early childhood. He was born in a two-room log cabin built by his father, John Keskitalo, as the seventh of eight children, according to a biography provided by the Keskitalo family.

“(He) remembers his father carrying him up a ladder to the loft where the children slept in the log cabin,” the biography states.

As soon as Howard could walk, he was helping on the 80-acre farm where the family grew potatoes, hay, barley and oats. Other tasks came along as he grew older, such as milking cows and delivering milk before going to school.

After school, Howard and his siblings would cut wood for heating, cooking and all the chores it took to keep the farm running.

While he was still in high school, Howard designed and built a bottle washer to make that chore easier for his mother, Hilda.

In addition to all the other crops produced by the farm, Howard and his siblings would help cut and sell Christmas trees and boughs which were shipped by rail to Chicago.

“It was a happy day when they finally got electricity in the barn and in the house,” his biography states. “They were finally able to buy an electric milking machine, which made their workload somewhat lighter.”

He graduated from Republic High School magna cum laude, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Oct. 29, 1942.

Upon discharge from the military on Feb. 4, 1945, Howard was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.

He went on to attend Michigan State University and earned a degree in engineering, where he met his future wife, Janet, to whom he was married for 59 years.

They had three children, Ann, James, and Jean.

Howard went on to work for Caterpillar as an engineer where he designed a tractor-mounted bucket loader. The patent for the device is still held by the company.

He retired in 1981 after working at Caterpillar for 32 years.

He now jokes that he has been retired longer than he worked.

Howard’s most recent visit to the U.P. was in October of 2016.

He especially enjoyed the Republic Area Historical Society’s Pascoe House Museum, where his mother’s kitchen cabinet from her Republic home is on display, Jean Keskitalo said.

“He had lunch with a large group at the Lutheran Church and shared stories about various family members and mutual friends,” she said.

Keskitalo still resides in his own home, she said. When he was 83, he installed a new skylight in the kitchen and just last month, he built forms for a small patch of concrete.

“He is in good health, but having some trouble with his legs and uses a walker,” his daughter noted. “His mind is as bright as ever. For example, he continues to do his own taxes every year, and he has a fantastic memory.”

Howard Keskitalo’s advice for a younger generation are two simple sentences.

“It is your planet earth. Take care of it.”