World War 2 Veteran turns 90

Friends and family gathered on Saturday to celebrate Owen Edwards 90th birthday.  He’s the only surviving WW2 veteran in Laurel County, who was on the beaches of Normandy on D- Day.

"It’s very special to know that my father had a part in making sure that our way of life, our freedom and our way of government continued.  That we get to be as free as we are today, it’s great to know that he was a part of that," said daughter Sharon Richardson.

"I would suggest that we take our freedom more seriously, because of the cost that it incurred and is still incurring," said Owen Edwards.

"We always have to be aware that freedom comes at a price," said daughter Sharon Richardson.

 "These men remembered when, they fought, some died to win, our right to live until the grey and wrinkles blend," said Owen Edwards reading a poem he wrote called Half-Mast.

Owen Edwards has been married to Marie Johnson Edwards since 1948. Together they have three daughters, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

"Owen Edwards says the secret to living a long and happy life is staying busy.  You can regularly find him mowing the five acres here on his property, pressure washing his deck and even chopping trees.  So, he’s not slowing down anytime soon," said Alycia Dahmer.

 "It’s just crazy, nothing stops him. He’s got at least another 10-15 years in him at least,” said family member Ashley Watkins.  

Edwards hopes that he leaves a legacy for future generations.

"I hope that my witness as a Christian and as a Pastor, and as a Navy Veteran, that I’ve left a legacy…. that young people would look up and say I would like to emulate at least some of that," said Owen Edwards.

 "He has accomplished so much and done so much, and just the way that he lives on a day to day basis…. and what he does for everybody else is just something that everyone needs to strive more towards," said family member Ashley Watkins.

Edwards has been a minister since 1956, and even though he’s retired, he’s still an interim pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Jackson County.