This 104-year-old Marine Corps veteran wants you to send him Valentine's day cards this year

Major Bill White spent three decades of his life serving his nation. At 104 years of age, he has seen everything from the brutal times of the Second World War and the Vietnam War, as well as the ongoing wars against terrorism spurred by the devastating 9/11 attacks. White has seen the world for the worse right before his eyes, moving from one conflict to another at the expense of countless lives. However, now as he spends his days carefully preserving the invaluable memories of a lifetime, it's the moments that captured the good and warmth of humanity that he chooses to focus on.

Speaking to KTXL, White revealed, "I spent 30 years active duty and 54 retired." According to the publication, the celebrated veteran has a number of honorable medals in his collection. However, the one he's most proud of is the Purple Heart gallantry award. The badge of honor was awarded to him for surviving the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. "The fact that I even survived is something. There weren’t too many of us," White recalled.

The brave veteran didn't just survive the Battle of Iwo Jima. He displayed a great deal of courage and leadership on the battlefield as he led his Marines toward the front lines under heavy fire from Japanese soldiers on March 3, 1945. He returned gravely injured from the battle—an injury that resulted in him being taken off active duty. "When I was wounded, I didn’t have any choice in the matter. A grenade blows up about 6 inches from me," Major White revealed. Despite having had to retire from service following the injury, he never lost his sense of valor and duty towards his country and fellow countrymen.

"I’m still here. I'm 104. Can’t complain," said White. Having been retired for over 50 years now, the veteran now spends his days dining with friends in Stockton, staying active, and indulging in one of his favorite hobbies—scrapbooking. White keeps a lifetime of memories carefully cataloged by year on the bookshelves in his room, explaining that it "has kept [him] busy just trying to locate or keep track of what's happened to [him], where, when."

This year, the veteran is looking to add some more sweet memories to his collection with the help of kind strangers. Hoping to hear from strangers near and far, White is now requesting people to send him Valentine's Day cards with the promise that he will save each and every card he receives. "I'll save every one of them like I've been saving little things that have come up until right now and they’ll be a personal part of my history," he said. White's story is one that's still being written with the veteran stating that the secret to a long life is to "just keep breathing." White said, "I can't think of anything else. I can give you all sorts of ideas and suggestions but if you're not breathing, they don't mean anything."

If White's story has touched your heart enough to make this Valentine's Day one he will remember forever, make sure you send him a card as sweet and unique as him to this address:

Operation Valentine
ATTN: Hold for Maj Bill White, USMC (Ret)
The Oaks at Inglewood
6725 Inglewood Ave.
Stockton, CA 95207