Courtesy of Berkeley Independent
By: Debbie Merlo Jul 10, 2016
Sweltering temperatures didn’t deter Addison “Jack” Greene from braving the heat to ride in The Alvin Community Festival parade July 2. Greene also didn’t allow the heat to halt the launch of a one-man entertainment act for the benefit of a guest.
Escorted by Addison (AJ) Greene Jr., one of nine children born to the 95-year-old World War II veteran, father and son exited the air conditioning of the community center with harmonica in hand.
Greene took turns making music, sang a little and kept time with two pieces of wood.
“We’ve always just called them ‘Jack Sticks,’” Granddaughter Wanda Jackson said. “He carves them himself.”
Greene was recently a guest at a birthday party in his honor May 29, coinciding this year with the arrival of Tropical Storm Bonnie.
Jackson said the storm didn’t stop the show and noted more than 400 guests came out to the Alvin Community Center to celebrate.
According to Jackson, Greene is the oldest living resident of the Alvin community where he was born and raised.
Greene made the milestone May 21 but, his children have set aside Memorial Day weekend to celebrate and honor him with an event named for both parents and now known as “Ruby Jack Day.”
The couple’s birthdays were one day apart until Ruby died in 2012, Jackson explained.
“The weekend is also another way to honor (Greene) because of his service in World War II,” Jackson said. “Family members came from all over to wish him well and celebrate.”
World War II veteran in St. Stephen turns 100 years old
Courtesy of Live 5 News
By Ann McGill
Updated: May. 21, 2021
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A World War II Army veteran from Berkeley County turns 100 years old Friday.
Addison “Jack” Greene was born May 21, 1921, and grew up in the Greentown section of the Alvin Community in St. Stephen.
His family is planning a parade on on May 29 at 12 p.m. to celebrate his milestone birthday.
Family members say representatives from Joint Base Charleston will be in attendance. He will be honored by Sens. Larry Groom and Darrell Jackson with a resolution, and the Gov. Henry McMaster’s office is set to make a presentation as well according to relatives.
The community is invited to come out and wish Greene a happy birthday. The parade lineup starts at the Laurel Hill Lodge #193 at 1783 Greentown Rd.
Greene loves spending time with family, playing the harmonica, and making music with homemade sticks.
He is a college basketball fan and especially likes University of Connecticut women’s basketball. His youngest granddaughter, Kalana Greene, played for the UConn Huskies during the 2006-2010 seasons. He got to attend some of the games when Kalana played and even met head coach Geno Auriemma and the mascot.
In 1942, as World War II raged, he received a draft letter. He was drafted into the Army where he served as Quartermaster, Bakery Company at Ft. Jackson, SC, (Truck Driver, Light 345).
His tour of duty took him to France, Germany, and England. He received a Medal for Good Conduct. He proudly served his country until the end of the war. His final duty station was Camp Gordon, Georgia. He still speaks French fluently, which he learned while serving in France, his family says.
He tells family members that his secret to longevity is honesty.
“Never tell a lie, let your yay be yay, and your no be no,” Greene says.
After returning home from war, Greene courted and married the love of his life, Ruby Moultrie. The couple reared 12 children together including seven boys and five girls. Moultrie and three of their children have passed away.
Greene has close to 200 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Greene still drives, but since the pandemic he mainly rides around his property in a golf cart. He is looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday.
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