KEARNEY, Neb. — Not every birthday gets a police escort.

But Lee Sanks isn’t celebrating just any birthday. The World War ll veteran and longtime Kearney resident is turning 100.

So Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh led the motorcade to lunch at the senior center.

Lee became an honorary admiral in the Nebraska Navy, then got treated to a birthday cake and a song, and got to show off his sense of humor.

NCN: “Does it feel different today?”

Lee: “No. Felt just like yesterday, just a normal day.”

The star treatment is a bit much for a man who prides himself on being humble.

“It’s overwhelming," Lee said. You can’t handle it all.”

But it provides an obvious moment for reflection. Lee is proud of his military service but doesn’t dwell on it. 

“(It was) just very ordinary, just what we were supposed to do,” Lee said.

He operated Ayers clothing stores in Lexington and Kearney and retired in 1989. He continues to live in the house he bought on 6th Ave. in 1969.

He describes a simple path to get to 100.

“Behaving yourself and eating right, not getting carried away,” Lee said.

But there’s one more thing.

“I had tremendous, tremendous held," Lee said. "I had absolutely the best help in the world, my wife Delphine.”

Delphine Sanks passed away in 2020.

A devoted Husker fan, she would be thrilled to know what’s in store for Lee on Saturday. He will be honored on the day of his 100th birthday at Memorial Stadium and sit next to the special POW/MIA chair.

What that will be like, is a mystery.

“I’ll let you know Sunday,” Lee said.

For the World War ll veteran who walks around the block and reads three newspapers a day, there’s just one item he still wants to accomplish.

“Trying to get to the next birthday,” Lee said.