A little girl in Newton Township, Pennsylvania, pulled out all the stops to help her best friend celebrate his 100th birthday this holiday season.
Seven-year-old Layla Leuthy Peck has been friends with Joe Gagliardi, a World War II veteran, for her entire life. In fact, Joe has been an honorary part of her family since before she was born. Her father, Sean, was also friends with Joe as a child.
When it came time for Joe to mark his major milestone birthday, Layla knew he had to do it in style. So she worked with the local fire and police departments and her first-grade classmates.
On Joe’s 100th birthday, Layla rode up to his house in a fire truck—sirens blaring—with a team of police cars leading the way. When the parade pulled up to Joe’s door, Layla, who was dressed in her best Christmas attire, ran into Joe’s arms as fast as she could. Officers with the fire and police departments lined up behind her. Once the two friends shared a special, wholesome moment, the officers took turns shaking Joe’s hand and thanking him for his service.
Layla’s Friends Made 100 Handmade Cards to Mark Joe’s 100th Birthday
Layla’s dad, a policeman, was among the gathered first responders. He paused for a moment to address the crowd with his own memories of Joe.
“I grew up two houses down,” she shared. “I always listened to Joe’s stories as a veteran and that encouraged me to join the Army.”
As a special thank you, an officer handed Joe a flag that had been flown over the capital building in Washington D.C. in his honor. But nothing made the centenarian smile more than the gifts Layla brought.
During the celebration, Layla handed Joe a Santa bag filled with 100 handmade cards from her classmates.
“I thought, ‘Since he’s turning 100 maybe we should make him 100 cards, ’cause he’s a good person!’ We made 100 cards, the whole first grade did,” Layla told ABC6.
Before Layla left for the day, she gave her best friend a long hug.
“I love you,” Joe told Layla.
Be sure to share this heartwarming story of friendship and devotion with your friends.
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