Burton Curtis usually keeps a harmonica in his pocket. To wish someone a happy birthday, or just for fun, he’ll take it out and play, with an uncanny ability to come up with just about any tune requested.

Next Tuesday, on Veterans Day, Curtis will turn 100 years old, nearly 70 years after he served as a glider pilot in World War II. It would be a surprise not to hear the sound of a harmonica coming from his residence at Avita of Stroudwater in Westbrook, the memory care facility he has lived in since May.

While Curtis’ memory may fade from time to time, he certainly remembers his years in the Air Force, where he retired a colonel, and will be wearing his uniform at a celebration at Avita on Tuesday.

Lea Rust, director of marketing at Avita, said Monday that the facility has partnered with the Veteran Affairs Bureau of Services, Westbrook Public Safety and Westbrook High School for a “Day to Remember,” an event that will celebrate the 15 veterans who reside at Avita, and a special recognition for Curtis’ centenary.

“I feel good, and lucky to be here,” Curtis said Monday about his upcoming birthday.

Burton’s daughter, JoAnn Pippin, who lives in North Carolina, said over the phone Monday that the entire family will be at his birthday party Tuesday.

“It’s wonderful for us to think that he made it to 100,” she said. “We’re just really happy, and lucky to have him around.”

Curtis graduated from Gorham Normal School, now the University of Southern Maine, before joining the military. He has three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Two of his grandsons, Mark and Jason Curtis, went to school and live in Gorham with their families.

During World War II, Curtis manned gliders, which were towed by military planes during airborne missions to house equipment. Curtis was in North Africa, Italy, England, and most notably, flew during what was known as Operation Market Garden in Holland.

According to information compiled by Curtis’ grandson, during Market Garden he flew two enlisted members of the 101st Airborne, a lieutenant, a Howitzer gun and a lot of medical supplies. Curtis did all this with no co-pilot relief and no hydraulic assistance in steering the glider.

Curtis has told a story of a mission where he was told to land and move away from the glider immediately because Germans would be closing in quickly.

Following the war, Curtis remained in the military, and later in the reserves, with 30 years credit, retiring as a colonel.

“My dad was very, very dedicated to the military,” Pippin said Monday. “He has his uniform and wants to wear it Tuesday.”

Curtis became an elementary school principal in Liberty, taught in Wells and then moved to Connecticut, where he took a job as superintendent.

When asked if he plays the harmonica every day, Curtis modestly replied, “off and on,” but then began playing a few songs, including, “You Are My Sunshine.”

“I don’t know when he learned to play the harmonica, but you can ask him to play anything, and he’ll pick it out of his head and play it,” Pippin said.

Eileen Curtis, a daughter-in-law who lives in Hollis, said Curtis grew up in Bowdoinham, and learned alongside his brothers.

“My brother played, and naturally, I had to do it, too. You might say he more or less taught me,” he said.

Speaking about her mom, and Curtis’ late wife, Pippin said, “She said to dad, ‘Burt, I think you’re going to make it to 100. You need to do it.’”

Rust said the ceremony will kick off at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, with Maj. Michael Steinbuchel, VA Bureau of Affairs representative, presenting the 15 veteran residents their certificates of appreciation for service.

A color guard and vocalists from Westbrook High School will perform the National Anthem, and Rust said that Westbrook Chief of Police Janine Roberts will be on hand, as well.

“I can speak for all associates at Avita when I say that Burt is a gentle soul with a huge heart,” Rust said. “Burt will be asked to say a few words, or play his harmonica for the audience.”

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A CLOSER LOOK

In Gorham, a ?Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Gorham Middle School on Weeks Road. The theme of this year’s ceremony is “Military Medicine: Caring for Our Soldiers.”

Blanche Alexander and Elle McCarty, Army Nurse Corps veterans, are the keynote speakers. Organizing the event is the Gorham Veterans Day Committee. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. For more information, contact Turner at 222-1190

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In Westbrook, a Veterans Day ceremony, hosted by the American Legion, will be held at 11 a.m. at the monument in Riverbank Park, off Main Street.

Burton Curtis, a World War II veteran who is turning 100 on Veterans Day, plans to wear his Air Force uniform at a ceremony at Avita of Stroudwater in Westbrook next week. Burton Curtis, a World War II veteran who is turning 100 on Veterans Day, plays harmonica in his room at Avita of Stroudwater in Westbrook on Monday. An event honoring Curtis, and all the veterans at Avita, will be held Tuesday, Nov. 11.