Because of my job, I have the opportunity to visit and interview some pretty incredible people.

This week while on assignment I had the honor of attending a surprise birthday party for Heiman Cohn who turned 100 years old.

Many from the community were in attendance as well as a couple of his relatives.

As I circulated around the room and talked with Mr. Cohn’s friends and family and asked them to tell me a little bit about the man and the highlights of his life, they all referenced his service to country and the love he had for his wife, Jane, who died a few years ago.

What an incredible journey this man has traveled.

In addition to the stories I was told at the party, Mr. Cohn has also written an autobiographical account of his life, which I have been reading and am finding fascinating.

Both his book and the stories I heard on Wednesday have also served to enhance my understanding of “Winter of the World,” — book two of Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy, which I am reading.

The setting of Follett’s story is World War II, and he includes a map in the front of his novel. I couldn’t help trying to find the towns and cities Mr. Cohn described from his experience of World War II.

Living to 100 years of age is definitely a feat, and living to 100 and still having a sharp mind and body is an even bigger coup.

I had to laugh when Mr. Cohn was telling Courtland Wells, the Vicksburg Post photographer who was with me at the party, that he was a boxer when he was younger. In the midst of the conversation, Mr. Cohn all of the sudden snapped up his arms into a boxer stance and drew back his right paw like he was going to punch.

As we were leaving, I couldn’t help myself.  I joked with Courtland that Mr. Cohn, at 100, may have just given him a run for his money had he wanted to spar!

Who knows if I will be as fortunate as Mr. Cohn and live to be a sharp minded healthy centenarian.

My maternal grandmother is 100.  She suffers from dementia. My paternal grandmother didn’t quite make it to the big 1-0-0.

However, my paternal great-grandmother lived to be 103 years old and married her second husband at 87!

Whether I reach a ripe old age or not, there is one thing that I hope I can take away from Mr. Cohn’s journey. Although it was not always easy, battlefields and all, he has not given up and continues to live his life to the fullest.

That, I think, is the highlight of his life.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer at The Vicksburg Post. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.