OAK CREEK — Friends, family, and fellow veterans packed American Legion Post 434 to celebrate John Sagan's 95th birthday, and to honor his military service.
"I knew I had a lot of friends but, not this many," Sagan said.
Sagan served on the front lines during the Korean War and has received an award from the President of South Korea for his service. At the party, he was presented with a Quilt of Valor.
"I didn't expect this," Sagan said. "I was drafted, I did my job, and I did it for everybody."
WATCH: Oak Creek Korean War Veteran honored on 95th birthday with Quilt of Valor
His daughter, Joyce Mueller, helped put the party together.
"What he had to go through in Korea was horrible," said Mueller. "He was right on the lines, risking his life, every day."
Sagan's ties to Oak Creek run deep. He was one of the very first officers of the Oak Creek Police Department, serving in the early days of a city that looked nothing like it does today.
"I go back to when this was nothing but farmland. I remember this all being built," Sagan said.
"There was a couple of times I had to use my own car for a squad car, that's how bad it was," Sagan said. "I think there was only about 4,500 people who lived in Oak Creek."
For nearly 50 years, Sagan has also owned the Cozy Inn, a local bar where he still bartends.
"I've got my hands full, I own a bar," Sagan said.
Mueller said her father enjoys speaking with customers.
"It makes him happy any time somebody comes in," Mueller said. "From young to old they have different conversations with him."
I was at the birthday party, and the turnout reflected just how wide Sagan's impact has been.
After 95 years, Sagan's advice is simple.
"You can't dwell on yesterday," Sagan said. "There's nothing you can do about yesterday. I wake up every day and think God has gave me another day."
Sagan is a member of American Legion Post 434. Post Commander Brandon Fettig told me he wants veterans in the area to know they are welcome at Post 434 and can become members.
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