On Thursday, Nov. 6, the Council on Aging celebrated the dedication and patriotism of Waltham’s many veterans at the Stanley Senior Center. Every seat was filled in the hall at the center, which swung so boisterously with the bright sounds of the Waltham American Legion Dixieland Band that people began dancing.

But the focus was on the legacy of bravery and sacrifice that defines Veterans Day and the people who have served in the U.S. military. The event honored three of Waltham’s most senior veterans, and Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy presented a proclamation to each one:

Bowen Campbell, a centenarian, joined the Navy at age 18 and served in the Pacific; when he returned to Waltham, he signed up with the Waltham Fire Department.
William Creonte, age 97, joined the Navy at age 17 and saw duty on two aircraft carriers; after the war, he ran a trucking business and mobile tire service.
Edward Desmond, who turned 100 on the actual day of the celebration, fought in the Battle of Okinawa; he then worked for New England Telephone for 40 years.

Council on Aging director Patrick O’Brien said that after World War II, there were 16 million veterans. A year ago, there were 100,000, but today only an estimated 45,000 WWII vets are still alive. When Deborah Barry, the Council’s administrative assistant, suggested a celebration focusing on Waltham’s WWII vets, he jumped on the idea, which led to Thursday’s celebration.