Wisconsin news

March 17, 2025

Antigo WWII Veteran’s Birthday Wish Goes Viral: Over 8,100 Cards and Counting!

Reuben Kolpack, a decorated World War II combat veteran, is set to celebrate his 104th birthday on March 19th.
Top l-r, Letter Carriers Harry Hooper, Jarin Ryland, Brandon Wells, and Ian Stewart
Top l-r: Letter Carrier Bobbi Baseman, WWII veteran Rueben Kolpack, and Letter Carrier Troy Schafer

ANTIGO, WI – What started as a simple birthday request has turned into an overwhelming show of love and appreciation for one of Wisconsin’s oldest veterans.

Reuben Kolpack, a decorated World War II combat veteran, is set to celebrate his 104th birthday on March 19th. Wanting to make the milestone extra special, his granddaughter took to social media with a heartfelt plea: she asked for people to send him 104 birthday cards—one for each year of his incredible life.

She posted her request across Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, her workplace, and her son’s school, hoping for a modest response. What happened next was beyond anything the family could have imagined. As of March 14, Reuben has received more than 8,100 birthday cards—and the number keeps growing!

But it hasn’t stopped at just cards. Thoughtful well-wishers from across the country have also been sending parcels, small gifts, and handwritten letters, eager to share their gratitude for Reuben’s service and longevity. The sheer volume of mail was so great that the Antigo Post Office stepped up in a big way. Instead of having the family collect the ever-growing stacks of mail, postal employees began offering home deliveries to ensure the cards and gifts reached Reuben with ease.

The local post office also took the celebration a step further. Letter carriers arranged a special meet-and-greet with the birthday veteran, posing for photos and sharing in the excitement of the moment. The event was filled with smiles, handshakes, and heartfelt words of thanks for Reuben’s service and incredible life journey.

“This is beyond anything we expected,” said Reuben’s granddaughter. “It’s truly heartwarming to see how many people care. We’re so grateful for everyone who took the time to send him a card or a message.”

With his birthday still a few days away, there’s no telling how many more letters and gifts will arrive. One thing is for sure—Reuben Kolpack’s 104th birthday will be one for the history books, filled with the love and appreciation of thousands who now know his story.

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The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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