Shigeru Ochi has seen and experienced a thing or two in his lifetime. The Folsom resident and World War Two Veteran turns 100 this week and the community is ready to honor him in large, not only for his birthday milestone, but for his great service to his country.
“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.
Known to most as “Shig,” Ochi is a resident of Oakmont Senior Living in Folsom. While the century mark is quite a notable milestone for anyone, for Ochi, it may still be secondary to the notable events and accomplishments during his last 99-years of his life, one in which he lived though, survived and overcame more adversity than many could ever imagine, especially in his younger years.
Ochi’s journey to setting his feet firmly down in Folsom includes once 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, Shigeru is wealth of knowledge and important life experiences, all of which he continues to share with fellow residents and generations.
Ochi’s early life was marred by the challenge of surviving incarceration at Manzanar Internment Camp during WWII where he was held captive due to his Japanese ancestry. Despite this, 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,” reads a statement from Oakmont Senior Living, as shared their plans to honor Ochi next week.
That special celebration is scheduled to take place at Oakmont’s facility at 1574 Creekside Drive in Folsom next Monday, Feb. 26 at 1: 30 p.m.
The event will not only include tradition Birthday fanfare for reaching the big “100,” but a number of city leaders and fellow Veterans are expected to be on hand to honor him. Those expected will include Congressman Kevin Kiley, Folsom Vice Mayor Aquino and Councilmember Anna Rohrbough, members of he Folsom Veterans Hall are sure to be on hand. According to Oakmont Senior Living The American Legion Post 119 Honor Guard has also been confirmed to be attending, to present Ochi with a certificate, dog tags and more in honor of his military service.