A birthday drive-by recently took place for 103-year-old military veteran Isadore Rosenthal, a resident of Paul’s Run, 9896 Bustleton Ave.
Among those greeting Rosenthal at the Oct. 10 event were his son, Carl; residents and staff; and members of the Marine Corps League, Fire Department Engine 62 and Police Department 7th District, Highway Patrol, Homeland Security and Bomb Squad.
State Rep. Sean Dougherty and state Sen. Joe Picozzi presented Rosenthal with citations.
Rosenthal, who turned 103, was wearing his military dog tags and recited the beginning of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Isadore Leon Rosenthal was born in 1922 in Philadelphia, the fifth child of Russian immigrants. He attended Temple University and was accepted into its dentistry school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Sept. 29, 1942 and was classified as “Dental Student – Specialized Training.” He earned a Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged on Nov. 11, 1944 to continue his dental training, and then classified as a reserve officer on extended active duty, his son said.
Later, he reported as a first lieutenant in the Air Force and was assigned to Sheppard Air Force base in Texas, where he administered dental care to service personnel at the base. He was released from active duty and reserve service with the rank of captain on Aug. 14, 1953. ••
