Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds, naval aviator and executive officer, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio, had the honor of meeting World War II naval aviator Lt. Glen Shean during a Alamo Honor Flight Breakfast held at Denny's, Nov. 7.

Shean, a Boerne resident and native of Cordell, Oklahoma, served in the Navy as a TBF Avenger pilot from May 7, 1942 to Oct. 1, 1946, aboard USS Card (CVE-11), a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier.

The breakfast also served as a venue to celebrate Shean's 100th birthday, which occurred Oct. 30.

Joining Reynolds in the celebration was the choir from Boerne High School, which sang patriotic songs and happy birthday to Shean.

"This was bigger than what I expected," said Russell Minor, past vice-president, Alamo Honor Flight. "It was unbelievable to have the Navy attend and the choir for Boerne High School."

Minor has known Shean for five years and first met him when he signed Shean up for honor flights.

According to Minor, a native of Boerne, nine breakfast groups throughout San Antonio have been meeting monthly since November 2010, and Shean is the first 100th birthday celebrated.

"It means the world to me that these guys are remembered and that they will never be forgotten," said Minor. "Anytime we can celebrate and honor our troops, it's a good day."

Reynolds began his remarks by thanking the veterans for their service.

"There are actions, deeds, and service of you all that put my 18 years in the Navy to shame." said Reynolds, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. "You all have laid the foundation for what I have done in my career. Thank you!"

He also informed the audience Shean's composite squadron, Fighter Squadron Composite (VC) 12, was disbanded after the war and segments of the squadron were re-established and gave birth to the airborne early-warning squadrons of today.

"We are a very small Navy family in San Antonio, and any time we can recognize a member of the family, we take that opportunity."

After being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation, a decorative paddle, and other Navy memorabilia, Shean stated, "Today was a good day and thank you."

The Grumman TBF Avenger was an American torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air and naval aviation services around the world.

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