WWII Veteran 100th birthday Burnie Sutter 100 car parade
Screenshot YouTube

Residents of Frisco, Texas turned out in the hundreds to honor the 100th birthday of local WWII veteran and hero, Burnett “Burnie” Sutter, born April 7, 1921.

Sutter, the guest of honor, was among the men who stormed Utah Beach at Normandy on D-Day, and the community came out in force to thank and honor him on his milestone birthday. 

Father Time catches up with us all, and Burnie is no exception. His memory is fading, but his daughter Sandi Sutter Richards fills in the gaps when he needs assistance.

This loyal daughter grew up hearing war stories from her father who was called “Smiley” by his fellow soldiers. 

WWII Veteran Burnie Sutter Fought From D-Day To Flossenburg

A machine gunner in 358th M Company with the 90th Infantry Division, Burnie saw tremendous loss as well as victories.

Sutter fought in The Big One all the way from D-Day, under the command of the mighty General Patton, through France and Germany, to the liberation of the Flossenburg Concentration Camp in the Third Reich.

Their final mission at Flossenburg was just a week before V-E Day. 

While the WWII Veteran’s memory might not be as sharp as it once was, he still has a sense of humor. He calls himself  an “old fart.”

Knowing that his memory is fading, Sandi wants Burnie’s stories to live on. That’s when she put out a call to help honor one of America’s greatest:

Hi Friends!

I NEED YOUR HELP! My Dad, Burnie, turns 100 years old, an amazing milestone, on April 7th. We just moved…

Posted by Sandra Sutter Richards on Monday, March 15, 2021

So she was thrilled to see a parade route of 100 cars at Saddle Brook Memory Care for the WWII veteran’s birthday. 

RELATED: 93-Year-Old Veteran Whittles Walking Sticks To Raise Money For Food Bank

“I tell people who want to talk to him that I’m his memory now,” the proud daughter said. “He’s been my hero for a long time. Because I’ve known his story for a long time. I just think somebody has to keep the story going.”

100th Birthday, 100 Cars, 100 Families

About 100 families joined the Sutters in Frisco for the celebration. 

Restored WWII Jeeps, vintage cars, and even golf carts came by to celebrate the WWII veteran’s 100th birthday.

The nonprofit organization Families of WWII Veterans even sent an airplane with a banner with a birthday message. “Happy 100th Burnie – WWII Hero,” it read.

Burnie relies on his only daughter to fill in the gaps with his memory. These are important stories that should not be forgotten. Young people need to be aware of the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation. 

“I tell people who want to talk to him that I’m his memory now,” his daughter Sandi said. “He’s been my hero for a long time. Because I’ve known his story for a long time. I just think somebody has to keep the story going.”

After the parade, Sandi was overcome. “This week has been because it’s such an outpouring of all these people who we don’t know, don’t know my dad, don’t know us, and they’ve just been awesome.”

RELATED: Sam Elliott’s Memorial Day Tribute To WWII Hero Reminds Us Of The True Cost Of Freedom

If you support our veterans, you will enjoy this video interview and might even find yourself cheering on WWII veteran Burnie Sutter for his 100th birthday too. Keep the story going!

Share: 

Mentioned in this article:

More About: