BY: Keith S. Shikowitz, Investigative Reporter
The people who fought in World War 2 have been called the greatest generation. Unfortunately, the passage of time has taken many of the survivors of the war. There is one veteran who is still bringing joy to his family and friends. That veteran is Sydney Sachs who on April 28, 2024, celebrated his 100th birthday.
Senator Bill Weber, out of his own pocket, with the help of the people at Montebello Commons and Sachs’ family, set up a party to celebrate this milestone with about 100 people in attendance.
His sense of humor was evident in the first minute I spoke with him. I asked him how it feels to be100 years old. He replied, “It doesn’t feel any different than it did at my 91st.”
He spoke about his military service in the Pacific Theater during the island hopping under General MacArthur on their way to retake the Philippines. He got emotional when talking about the Jewish people’s contributions and patriotism.
When a comedian who is in his or her 80’s or 90’s is asked what they attribute their longevity to, they respond “I just didn’t die.” Sachs attributes his to the fact that he didn’t drink a lot and the physical training he got in the military in Biloxi Mississippi before being shipped out to the Pacific.
He was not the first in his family to join the US military. His father was a soldier in WWI. He related a story about how his father ended up working with horses even though he knew nothing about them. It turns out that there was a misunderstanding of his vocation which caused the situation.
In 100 years of life, a person acquires many memories and has many memorable moments. Sachs said his most memorable life event was the day he got married. “My wife convinced me to go back to school. Her grandmother told her she should marry a man four years older than her.”
State Senator Bill Weber opened the ceremony for Sachs. “We are here celebrating a special birthday for Sydney. Sydney turned 100 on April 28. It’s the same day as my mother’s birthday so we immediately made that connection while trying to coordinate this with our office. We were going to try to coordinate a Mets game and I know you had the privilege of going to a Mets game on April 28 for your birthday and I believe they won that day. I hope they do well and get into the playoffs. If they play my Yankees, we may have to uh… We’ll have a separate conversation about that.”
“We’re all here to celebrate you and your life. Your very distinguished life not only of being a World War Two veteran, but some one who was active in the community his entire life. I got to meet your beautiful children. I know your family is here and your wife is looking down upon this moment with a smile on her face. I know she would love to be here as well, but we are here filling in for her really enjoying this moment as well.”
He introduced members of the Ramapo Police Department who were present. “I find it important to acknowledge the Ramapo Police because they are there throughout the community out there protecting us, especially in these very dangerous times. It’s important that we know them by name and that we thank them for protecting us every day.
The next order of business was the presentation of proclamations and awards honoring Sachs and his 100th birthday as well as his service to the country and the community. The list of proclamations began with the State Senate, which Weber read to the crowd. Then to the Ramapo Police Chief Martin Reilly.
“First off, thank you all for having us here for this milestone. Happy birthday Sydney Sachs. What a great achievement. Thank you to all of the senior citizens of our community. One thing the Ramapo Police do is we value our seniors. We learn from our seniors. Mr. Sydney Sachs made a path for all of us. We truly appreciate his dedication to the community, his dedication to our great nation. It’s people like him that make it comfortable for us to be in this room today just to gather together to celebrate a 100th birthday. That’s amazing. They say, the Amazin’ Mets. I say the Amazing Sydney Sachs.’
Congressman Mike Lawler was unable to be there in person but sent a proclamation recognizing Sachs’ 100th birthday and making April 28 Sydney Sachs Day in the 17th Congressional District. Which Senator Weber read into the record.
The final two proclamations, which Weber read, came from Assemblyman Karl Brabenec and County Executive Ed Day and the county legislature. Both praised Sachs’ accomplishments and thanked him for his service and celebrating his 100th birthday.
Weber spoke further about his involvement in this event.
People reaching the 100-birthday mark is becoming more common these days. Along with Sachs, there was a lady there who was at the ripe young age of 103. Weber asked her what her secret to living so long was. She replied, “It’s a secret.”
Whereas Weber gets the accolades for putting this event together for Sachs, he gives the credit to the organization and execution of it to his staff, who he says is a great bunch of people.
Sachs’ sons Stuart and Elliot and daughter Pam commented on the event. Elliot said, “It’s unbelievable. It’s a real milestone in anybody’s life, not just our father’s, but anybody to reach 100. Stuart added, “To be able to have such great memories and he retained all of these great memories. Whether it’s short term, long term, dad keeps telling us stories and tells us more stories he’s just wonderful and everyone who turned out today made him such a happy person. He’s just thrilled to tears.”
Pam, being the only girl, and the baby of the three, when she was born, Sachs told his mother they had had a girl. His mother replied, “Yeah, what did you name him?”
People have said that Sachs is a person who tells a lot of jokes and loves life. According to Pam, this translated into the household in that they were very social. “Our mother was a socialite and he is very easy going and went with the flow. But the two of them, summing up their 60-year marriage is that they were dancing through life.”
Adding to Pam’s statement, Stuart said, “That was the key to him becoming 100. He didn’t let anything bother him.” Elliot said, “He doesn’t get uptight.”
During the 1950’s and 1960’s, there were socially defined roles in the family. Generally, the father was the one in charge. Who wore the pants in the Sachs household? According to Stuart, “Our sister.”
There is a stereotype of a family whose father was in the military of being a very strict household and very disciplined and the kids got away with very little if anything, according to the three of them, he was far from that. How much did they get away with? Pam said, “I was an angel. I don’t know about them.”
Stuart stated that the only time his father ever yelled at him was once when he was running around the property and he had said a bad word and his father chased him around the house and he ran upstairs into his room and slammed the door and put his foot up against it and that’s the only thing he remembers.
They went on to talk about his accomplishments in the army and life and the love he had for his wife of 60 years. The pride they have for their father shows in every word they say about him.