this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2024
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New Zealand's oldest man, former prisoner of war Jim Easton celebrates 108th birthday (www.rnz.co.nz)
submitted 1 month ago by Dave to c/newzealand
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New Zealand's oldest man and former prisoner of war James "Jim" Easton has celebrated another lap around the sun, hitting the grand old age of 108 this week.

When asked what he enjoyed most about his Army service, Easton replied: "Trying to get out!"

Many of Easton's friends suffered terrible nightmares, but he managed to develop a clever technique to prevent them.

"Whenever I felt one coming on I'd dream of nude women. That took it away immediately," he told the Herald after his 106th birthday.

In 2022, Easton was believed to be the first New Zealander to receive a birthday card from two monarchs: one from King Charles III for his 106th, and one from Queen Elizabeth II for his 100th.

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[–] snausagesinablanket@lemmy.world 10 points 1 month ago

He doesn't look a day older than 107.

[–] hanrahan@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

So the secret of a long life is to be a prisoner of war ?

[–] Dave 1 points 1 month ago

So long as you live through the experience then live through the PTSD and as long as nothing else gets you in the meantime. TL;DR the secret of a long life is to not die for as long as possible

[–] Viper_NZ 2 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

It must be weird being so old. I'd presume once you hit 80 you'd sort of stop planning for the long term. To still be around almost 30 years later..

[–] Dave 2 points 4 weeks ago

I think at some point you would just be in a routine and expect that routine to stay for the rest of your life, whether that's 3 or 30 years. Probably not a lot of planning to do at age 80, especially if you've already made it into a rest home, though someone will probably prove me wrong on that.