Canton Citizen

By Canton Citizen

Canton resident and World War II veteran James Collins was treated to a special birthday surprise on Sunday as a parade of family, friends and public officials drove by his home to wish him a happy 99th birthday. Collins, a Navy submarine veteran who turned 99 the following day on March 8, watched with delight from a vehicle and was then honored in a brief outdoor ceremony alongside his sons, Mike, Jay and Christopher, and daughter, Navy Capt. Maureen Collins-Carroll, JAGC. Congressman Stephen Lynch presented Collins with a blanket and a Sea Dog cap, while state Senator Walter Timilty, state Rep. Bill Galvin and Canton Veterans Agent Arafat Knight each presented him with a citation. Capt. Collins-Carroll also received acknowledgments for her service.