DEL.ICIO.USElection Day marks his 101st birthday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, November 03, 2008
As Americans flock to the polls for a historic Election Day, Ellis Joel Daniel of Snellville will make a bit of his own history Tuesday.
The World War II veteran and former U.S. postman is turning 101 on Nov. 4, and he knows a thing or two about voting in presidential elections.
Shane Blatt/sblatt@ajc.com
Ellis Joel Daniel, 100, of Snellville says he thinks John McCain will pull out a victory.
Daniel, who voted absentee a month ago, has cast ballots in every race since 1928. In that election, he couldn’t recall for whom he had voted, “but I know I didn’t vote for [Herbert] Hoover,” he said with a wry smile.
In 1932, Daniel threw his support to Franklin Roosevelt. That support ended because he believed Roosevelt allowed the Russians to take control of eastern Europe after World War II.
The youngest of eight brothers and sisters, Daniel grew up in the small town of Millen in east Georgia. At 8 or 9 years of age, Daniel recalls asking his father for a nickel.
“I’ll never forget his answer. He said, ‘Who do you think I am, the First National Bank?’ ” After three years of high school, Daniel dropped out at age 16, taking a job with the local post office to help make ends meet. His salary in 1924? $1,000 a year.
“I came up in the Depression, when grown men with families worked for 50 cents a day,” he said. “I can tell you about it, but there’s no way you can relate. Times were hard. I was there.”
Daniel served 24 years in the Army Reserve and three years of active duty during World War II.
Through changing times and dozens of presidential races, this election carries particular significance to Daniel. Unlike in the past when the nation had a deep understanding of candidates, such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, Sen. Barack Obama remains a mystery, Daniel said. Despite Obama’s lead in the polls, Daniel said he thinks Sen. John McCain will pull out a victory.
“I think the Lord will give [Republicans] one more chance to get the country back on the right track.”
Among presidents, Daniel has a favorite. “Reagan was the best. He’s the one who ended the Cold War.” To those who haven’t voted yet, Daniel has a piece of advice: “They should do it, like going to church on Sunday.”
Three years ago, Daniel moved to Snellville to live with daughter Dianne Birts. He still owns a home in Millen and until he was 97 years old was mowing the lawn and teaching Sunday school. His secrets to longevity? He never drank. He never smoked. He always ate right. For more than 30 years, he walked 15 miles a day as a postal carrier.
For his birthday, Daniel will watch the election results and celebrate his 101st milestone with his two children, three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. “I am truly blessed,” he said.
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