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Episode #750 of Hometown Heroes, airing September 10-15, 2022, features the World War II memories of Navy veteran Ray Loyd, who was surprised for his 99th birthday with a vehicle parade in Grover Beach, CA, thanks to Welcome Home Military Heroes.

Navy veteran Michael Smith, who connected Hometown Heroes to Ray and his story, presents Ray with a Congressional proclamation as part of the Welcome Home Military Heroes surprise birthday salute on September 10, 2022.

Loyd, who has participated with Welcome Home Military Heroes in honoring many veterans of all ages, was greeted with proclamations, a special challenge coin, and of course, well-wishers singing “Happy Birthday.” Watch the video (right) from the facebook livestream to get a feel of the birthday surprise and what it meant to this 99-year-old Navy veteran.