As the rest of the world celebrated the arrival of 2021, a community in Massachusetts came together to celebrate the 105th birthday of a World War II veteran in a truly beautiful way.

WCBV reported that Henry Naruszewicz is a veteran who was born on New Year’s Day in 1916 as the fourth of ten children who were born to Polish immigrant parents. Naruszweicz and his two older brothers all fought for the U.S. during the war, and he served under General George Patton during the Battle of the Bulge.

On Friday morning, signs about his birthday went up all over Naruszewicz’s neighborhood in Lowell, where he has lived for decades in a home that he both build and designed. Around 75 cars ended up rolling by his house to make him feel special on his big day. The gesture was especially touching amidst the coronavirus pandemic, which has effected Naruszewicz just as it has impacted all of us.

“It hinders my movement,” he told the Lowell Sun. “It prevents people from coming to see me. Both my grandchildren don’t want to come to my home because they don’t want to give me the virus.”

Naruszewicz told reporters that he just can’t believe that he’s still alive today.

When I retired in 1980, I figured I’d probably go another 10 years or so,” the veteran said. “So I bought a new car and I figured it would outlast me. It didn’t.”

A retired auto mechanic, Naruszewicz added that he enjoys getting to see his daughter every day. She explained that her father is still independent, doing his own laundry every day as well as other activities.

“After such a terrible 2020 he’s giving everybody hope in the new year, so to start 2021 on such a high note is a really good thing,” his daughter told WHDH, referring to the local celebration.

Naruszewicz has an active Massachusetts drivers license that is good for another four years, and he still drives the Buick he bought in 2007.

As for what the secret is for livings so long, Naruszewicz said, “I don’t know, I don’t know, moderate living I’d say, don’t do anything to excess.”

He added that he plans to live it up once he is 109.