Second World War veteran celebrates 100th birthday in Saskatoon

One hundred years is a long time, during which a lot can happen and a lot can change.

In 1925, The New Yorker published its first issue, The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald was published, and Saskatoon resident Ruth Bond-Martinson was born.

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The Second World War veteran celebrated her milestone birthday in Saskatoon on Oct. 10 surrounded by friends and family at HMCS (His Majesty’s Canadian Ship) Unicorn.

“I am so thrilled,” she said. “The (Royal Canadian) Navy was a very important part of my life, from Sea Cadet to the regular reserves.”

Bond-Martinson served in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service, according to the Government of Canada, noting she received a Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2008.

“For more than 35 years, she has been actively involved in the Maple Leaf Unit, the only all-female veterans group within Canada,” the website entry reads.

Medals received by Ruth Bond-Martinson displayed at her birthday celebration. (Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)

Bond-Martinson made sure to have her birthday celebration at the HMCS Unicorn.

“That was the first thing on my mind,” she said. “When (my family) said ‘We’ll go to where you live,’ (I said) ‘No, no, no — Unicorn,’.”

Bond-Martinson was looking forward to saying hello to some familiar faces that she hasn’t seen in some time at the party.

“I was thrilled of course that it was being held here,” she said before the event. “I hear all my friends that are coming, and I haven’t seen (them) for some time.”

Bond-Martinson still can’t believe she’s 100 years old.

“It can’t be, because I haven’t lived half of what I think I should have,” she joked. “I don’t know how you put a time (on life) really, but life is wonderful.”

When asked if she had any tips for longevity, Bond-Martinson said it’s important to enjoy every second of life.

“The big thing is, I like life,” she said.

“When I wake up in the morning and check the temperature and time, if it looks good, let’s get up (and) get going.

“I may listen to the radio or I may listen to a child hollering ‘Mom’, then you get up and understand that the biggest thing today is to enjoy life, and show that you enjoy it, don’t go through with a scowl.”

Bond-Martinson said she had enjoyed activities that put a smile on her face.

“Find something that you like — whether it be a job or whether it be education, whatever role you choose — do what you like, and if you don’t like it … either change it to suit you or change to another venue, really don’t go through life saying ‘Oh God, I’ve done that job for 10 years.”

Bond-Martinson reminisced that she was “one lucky gal.”

“I wanted to make sure my girl got into the Navy, and they were (aged) 10 I think… she’s not today, (but) the Navy world is still part of her life, and that brings me a great deal of pleasure.”

Bond-Martinson’s party included three tables celebrating all that she has done in her life.

— with files from CKOM News