WOODVILLE, Ohio — They're the greatest generation and that generation is shrinking.
According to the National WWII Museum, there are now fewer than 120,000 World War II veterans still living.
WTOL 11 talked to a local veteran originally from Swanton who now lives with relatives in Woodville.
96-year-old Joe Grabowski is part of that generation. He served in the Army from 1946 to 1947.
"I was born at the right time and everything just fell into place, but I'm glad I joined," Grabowski said. "In fact, I thought about going back in and I got home. I came home Oct. 17, 1947."
Grabowski was a courier in the Army, doing service between Osaka and Kobe. He said his experiences serving in the military have prepared him for life decades later.
"I stood on the street of Tokyo with General MacArthur," Grabowski said. "I was in Tokyo for some reason or other and I looked over to my right, and there was General MacArthur coming out of a building. He had two guys around him with weapons. But he was quite a guy."
In some cases, some veterans do not receive regular visitors or phone calls. But for 96-year-old Grabowski, he has the support.
"You got to have a good family behind you and somebody in the family that can help you out," Grabowski said. "I've got it made. Like I said, I've been blessed. I have a granddaughter that used to be a nurse and her husband, he's like a father to me. They treat me great."