Local veteran celebrates 100th Birthday

CHELAN - WWII Navy veteran, Mike Elavsky turned 100 years old on November 19,  and several veterans visited him at Heritage Heights, in Chelan to kick off his 100th birthday party. He was presented with a special birthday card, signed by many folks wishing him well.
In 1942, Mike graduated high school and enlisted in the Navy Seabees, which at the time was assigned to the Marine Corps and were the ground support for the Navy. In 1943, he was stationed in San Diego and North Carolina for six months of training and then transferred to Hawaii where he spent most of his time supporting the bombing of Tokyo. Mike was discharged from the Navy in 1945.
Mike lived a full life, with a 60-year career in agriculture. He spent 14 years tending to a 1,200-acre dairy farm in Minnesota. He received a B.A. and M.A. in Education at Bemidji State University and taught for 12 years all across Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. He settled down in Tonasket and worked on his cherry orchard in Wenatchee Heights for over 30 years. He sold it at the age of 83. Mike has lived in Chelan since 1996.
Helping Mike celebrate his 100th Birthday were Jim Taylor (Navy Seabee’s), Bruce Knott (Navy), Brandia Young (Navy), Evan Pittson (USMC), Linda Tate (Army), Norm Manly (Navy) and Craig Pittson (Army).