Photos and Article by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
Friends and family gathered on Sunday, January 22nd to wish Frank J Klum of Clermont a happy 100th birthday. Klum, a WWII veteran was greeted at the door of the Clermont City Center by great-grandchildren, grandchildren, children, extended family members and a lifetime collection of friends that Klum has accumulated over the last 99 years.
The birthday celebration, which was hosted by the Clermont VFW Post 5277, was complete with dignitaries that included the City of Clermont Mayor Tim Murry, US Congressman Daniel Webster, US Senator Marco Rubio’s office and Florida Senator Dennis Baxley. Proclamations and appreciation plaques were received From President Joe Biden, former President Jimmy Carter and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. A full lunch was provided by the Post and included three birthday cakes that each represented Klum’s distinguished military career and commitment to community service.
Klum was born on January 24, 1923, in Wilmire, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school at the age of 18, Klum enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 9, 1941, two days after the air attack on Pearl Harbor. Klum served many capacities in the military, a career that would last more than 20 years. For his service during WWII, Klum received: The Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, American Defense Service Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with six Bronze Service Stars. While in the service, Klum met his wife Catherine in Guatemala City in July of 1946. Catherine was from Belize. They were married on December 28, 1946. Together they have had five children, eleven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Klum has a remarkable memory that includes the full name and date-of-birth for each family member and most of his close friends. Klum also practices a warm tradition of telephoning friends and family on their birthdays and anniversaries to happily play the appropriate celebratory melody to them on his trumpet.
At 99 years of age, the National Training Center of Clermont is a familiar place to Klum. A place where friends join him 3-4 times a week for a workout in the gym and an opportunity to catch up on the employees’ well-being.
Klum remains an active member of the VFW Post 5277 and the Kiwanis Club of Clermont. He is well known by both organizations for his quick wit, impeccable memory, big smile, fierce sense of self-independence and willingness to always lend a hand where he can. “I don’t really know how I lived so long”, says Frank in a 2022 interview for his 99th birthday. “I guess it’s because I’ve been active my entire life.”
“We look forward to seeing you on your next 100th Frank”, says Bob Ferrell, VFW Post representative.
