Oakmont Senior Living of Folsom was home to a very special celebration Monday afternoon as a number of dignitaries from multiple levels of government including that of federal, state and city all came together with numerous local residents to honor a local resident, not only for a his milestone “triple digit” birthday, but for the countless sacrifices he made during those many years for his country, his family and for many people he never even met.
The crowd that gathered was to celebrate Shigeru Ochi, who officially turned 100 Monday. During his century on earth, it’s safe to say the World War II Veteran has seen a thing or two as well as done a thing or two, and he continues to share the stories of all it = with just about anybody who shows an interest and wants to take the time to listen.
“I’ve lived through history and made a bit of my own, “says Shigeru Ochi, as he recently reflected on his century of life experiences that started with the struggles of living in poverty as a child to overcoming more adversity than many could ever imagine and still having the willingness and strong drive to succeed.
Ochi’s journey to setting his feet firmly down in Folsom includes being a WWII internment camp survivor to becoming a U.S. Army veteran, to that of a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His accomplishments exemplify the local resident’s resilience and determination. From supporting fellow soldiers in a post-atomic bomb at Hiroshima, to successfully completing the first administered Graduate Record Exam.
Ochi’s early life included being incarcerated at Manzanar Internment Camp during WWII where he was held captive due to his Japanese ancestry and feared for his life. Despite the terrifying time, Shigeru demonstrated his loyalty to the United States by serving in the Army and deploying to Hiroshima to assist in post-war efforts while also reconnecting with his family origins under what is described to today as some of the most harrowing circumstances.
Later in life, Ochi’s intellectual talents led him to achieve a perfect score in math on the GRE, earning him a scholarship to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His commitment to education and his family’s future was unwavering. All of his children went on to complete college, and three went on to pursue careers in medicine.
“Shigeru’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance, education and faith, guiding him through a century of personal and historical milestones,” read a portion of a statement from Oakmont Senior Living as they honored Ochi Monday.
The large crowd on Monday included Folsom City Councilmembers Sarah Aquino and Anna Rohrbough, City Manager Elaine Andersen, Congressman Kevin Kiley, Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano, Folsom Police Chief Rick Hillman, Lt. Andrew Bates and others, all of which took time to honor Ochi along with the American Legion Post 119 Honor Guard as they presented certificates and dog tags in recognition of his military service.
Photos: Bill Sullivan, Ochi family, City of Folsom
