BROOKLYN, MI — It would arguably take someone 100 years to accomplish as much as G. Wayne Hessemer has during his life.

From commanding ships in World War II and the Korean War to becoming a prolific artist to being active in the Boy Scouts of America for 88 years as an Eagle Scout and Sea Scout Quartermaster, Hessemer has done it all.

Luckily for Hessemer, he had a century to do it as he turned 100 on Tuesday, June 17 and celebrated his birthday with family and friends Saturday at Cornerstone Church in Brooklyn.

"(The) scouts are responsible for everything I've accomplished in my life as I've followed the scout law from day No. 1," the retired Naval Reserve Commander said.

"Becoming a Sea Scout Quartermaster is what got me commissioned as an officer in the Navy, and I've always remembered that."

As Hessemer caught up with family and friends, he smiled about his memories and read letters from the families of deceased crew members either from his Landing Ship Tank 573 in WWII or the U.S.S. Chimon in Korea.

The 100-year-old said the LST ships were exactly what he was looking for, "Big, slow and dry ... couldn't go more than 12 knots."

All of the letters thanked Hessemer for his service and made sure he knew how much he meant to each crew member.

"When I left the ship after the war, there was only one member of my crew to see me off," he said. "I thought it was because they didn't like me ... turns out it was because they didn't want to see me go.

"An officer's job is to take full responsibility for his actions, I wanted the responsibility and I was ready to take it, I think that had a lot to do with it."

Hessemer may have just turned 100, but it's hard to tell as he enjoys showing off his ability to walk around, stand and sit up.

"Last week he told me he didn't even need his cane," grandson Ron Reed said. "He said he just uses it to be a good example for others."

Reed's grandfather was the most popular guest at the party as people lined up to wish him happy birthday and to get their picture taken with the commander.

Guests flipped through pictures and Hessemer's two books, First Command and Second Command, chronicling his time during the war and featuring many of his sketches.

"I've seen so many old friends and family today," Hessemer said. "These are good, fine people and it's great to get out and see all of them again."

MLive.com is on a quest to document - and tell the stories - of the World War II veterans remaining in Michigan.

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