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'She's an icon among us': Niles VFW helps World War II veteran Bette Horstman celebrate 100th birthday

Pioneer Press Newspapers - 12/8/2021

Dec. 8—World War II veteran Bette Horstman was given a celebration suited for a local hero as she turned 100 years old this week.

From the more than 150 guests who gathered at the Niles VFW hall to share birthday wishes to all the leftover birthday cake, it was an overwhelming experience, the longtime Morton Grove resident admitted.

"I've lived a long time, but I've never had anything like that," Horstman said of Sunday's bash, which drew family and old friends from around the country, as well as a host of area military veterans.

"She was just inundated with well wishes, love and respect," noted Horstman's niece, Suzy Andrews.

The proclamations shared by federal and state officials — including one presented in person by State Sen. Ram Villivalam — honoring Horstman's service as a U.S. Army physical therapist in the South Pacific, also came as a surprise, Horstman acknowledged.

"All I did was what I was trained to do in the service," she said modestly. "I didn't do anything special. I wasn't on the battlefield and I didn't get shot at, though there were plenty of Japanese still on the island of Saipan and hiding in the caves."

Horstman's 100th birthday party was hosted by Niles VFW Post 3579, of which she has been an active member for over a decade. It was held to honor Horstman as an "epic" woman, said Post Cmdr. Kevin Morrison.

"At her age, she's an icon among us," he said, describing Horstman as lively and always happy to "sit down with the younger guys and tell her tales."

Horstman has also continued to be active in local veterans' events. During a July 4th parade this past summer, Morrison noted that Horstman walked the entire 2.5-mile route in 92 degree temperatures and in military uniform. She is also a trustee for the VFW Post, which involves reviewing the post's finances.

"She questions everything and she is good at what she does," Morrison said. "I joke with her when I tell her, 'When I grow up, I want to be just like you.'"

In her spare time, Horstman bowls as a member of two senior bowling leagues that meet at Classic Bowl in Morton Grove.

She admits she doesn't feel 100, however 100 is supposed to feel.

"If you ask me how old I feel, I couldn't tell you," she said. "Maybe 30? 40? No, I don't feel my age at all."

Horstman credits her longevity with staying active, social and involved, while also maintaining good nutrition — though with all the birthday cake and cupcakes she has taken home, the latter is a little difficult to achieve at the moment.

"This morning, my bowling league gave me 30 cupcakes," Horstman said. "I said, 'I can only eat one or two.' The answer was, 'You are 100. You can do whatever you want."

During World War II, Horstman was stationed on the Pacific island of Saipan, working as a physical therapist for the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Her story is part of the Niles-Maine District Library's oral history project involving area veterans.

According to the Niles VFW, Horstman served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of captain.

After leaving the military, Horstman continued to work as a physical therapist, managing the physical and occupational therapy department at Resurrection Hospital on Chicago's Northwest side.

Last year, the village of Morton Grove recognized Horstman's 99th birthday with a declaration of Dec. 6, 2020 as Bette C. Horstman Day. This year, the Village Board authorized temporary street signs declaring the 9300 block of Oketo Avenue "Bette C. Horstman Lane" in recognition of the 65 years she has lived in the village.

While somewhat of a local celebrity, Horstman's recent appearance in a frequently-aired furniture commercial as a guest on the first all-female Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. only helped to extend her celebrity far beyond the borders of Niles and Morton Grove.

"People from all over the country have called me (to say they saw the commercial)," she said.

But Horstman contends she was never informed the furniture company would be featuring her and wishes she would have been asked about her inclusion in the commercial.

"They should have given me advance notice so I could have had a couple sessions of botox," she joked.

The flight to Washington, which was hosted by Operation HerStory and Honor Flight Chicago, resonated with Horstman.

"On that particular trip, I really felt like a veteran," she said. "I felt recognized as a veteran — possibly because it was all women. Even in the veterans' association, I don't feel as recognized as the male members ... (but here) I felt part of the group. I felt real camaraderie, more than I feel when I mingle with the men at the VFW meetings."

Horstman participated in an Honor Flight with her late husband several years ago, but this recent trip, she said, made her remember and really understand the contribution she had made to the war effort.

"Even though I didn't carry a gun, I contributed something — and I was recognized for helping people," she said.

Morrison, the commander of Horstman's VFW post, said he and all the members are "just enamored" of Horstman and all she is still able to do at 100 years old.

"She's like a rock star," he said.

jjohnson@chicagotribune.com

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