You are currently browsing the daily archive for June 15, 2022.
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Nigel Farage interviewed a 102-year-old D-Day American veteran in London.
This must-watch exchange took place on Farage’s Talking Pints segment of his GB News show:
Steve Melnikoff took a Cunard cruise to the UK, accompanied by a younger man who helps him out on a daily basis.
Melnikoff said that, on the cruise ship, he spent his evenings ballroom dancing and had the photos to prove it.
It was amazing to see how young this man looks at 102. He’s just days away from his 103rd birthday. He has no age spots and his skin is remarkably smooth.
Despite all the major things going wrong in the Western world today, older people look decades younger than they used to.
When I was growing up, people aged 50 and over definitely looked over the hill, no matter what their social class. We can no doubt ascribe better health care as a contributing factor to prolonged youth.
Another example of prolonged youth are the three Carry On female stars who reunited at a London restaurant on Sunday, June 12. The Daily Mail has a photo of them and reports:
The films were known for their saucy innuendos and drew millions of fans to cinemas in their heyday.
But former Carry On stars Jacki Piper, Valerie Leon and Anita Harris played it straight as they got together for a night out. The trio shared memories as they were pictured in a restaurant by their friend Barry Langford.
Miss Piper, 75, held onto 78-year-old Miss Leon’s arm as they posed alongside Miss Harris, 80. Miss Leon and Miss Piper starred in 1970’s Carry On Up The Jungle while Miss Harris played a nurse in 1967’s Carry On Doctor.
They look fabulous, not a day over 55.
But I digress.
Returning to Steve Melnikoff, he said that the first thing he noticed in landing on Omaha Beach was the cold weather. Farage pressed him on what he really thought. Melnikoff replied that he might have been afraid, but he couldn’t remember exactly.
Melnikoff said that he never talked about the war until decades later. It was the same with the soldiers with whom he served. He explained that, after the war, Americans were too busy working in factories in post-war rebuilding efforts.
Melnikoff was shot in the throat by Germans. Luckily, the shot missed his larynx. His comrade was fatally wounded and he managed to dress his friend’s wound as best he could while waiting for help. Melnikoff was flown to England to recuperate in hospital. He has a big love for Britain as a result.
Farage asked Melnikoff what his greatest achievement was. Interestingly, he said that taking advantage of the GI Bill, through which he earned a bachelor’s degree, improved the next three generations of his direct descendants, all of whom have university degrees. Well done!
He began returning to Omaha Beach around the Millennium and has made a few trips since. As for war memories, in the 1980s, he reunited with the man who was his sergeant. They met once a week for lunch and remembering their service together. The lunches stopped only when the sergeant died.
Melnikoff said that his secret to ageing was to always have a purpose in life and something to do. He said that he has a good genetic makeup and a positive outlook. His favourite pastime is golf. During his working life, he owned his own business.
Listening to him, one realises that he is sharp as a tack, unlike Joe Biden, whom he did not discuss.
Unlike Biden, one thing Melnikoff cannot be accused of is showing signs of dementia:
One thing that does concern Melnikoff is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which he says reminds him of events in 1939 that led to the Second World War. This shorter clip is especially worth watching:
I wish Steve Melnikoff a happy 103rd birthday — and many happy returns!
Churchmouse Campanologist 