The secret of a long life is good genes, a positive attitude, the ability to love and be loved, and above all the Grace of God. My name is Dr. Eunice Blair, age 102, and a resident of the Wesleyan at Estrella since 2008. I was born on February 13, 1921 to a faithful and loving Baptist family in rural Woodworth, Louisiana. I grew up close to nature and always knew of God’s presence in everything. He was the creator of pink honeysuckles, the wood violets, and the wildflowers in the woods. Whenever I heard the thunder rumbling, I knew God was busy building something. At the moment I was baptized as a young teenager, I recall feeling God’s very presence in me. What a gift!
When I graduated High School at 16, the Great Depression had hit. My parents didn’t have money to send me to college, though I desperately desired to be an English teacher. God had other plans for me. The aunt of my dear friend was the superintendent of the Baton Rouge General Hospital School of Nursing, and she invited me to attend. This was a turning point in my life! I knew nothing of nursing, but I was eager to learn. While in nursing school, I attended a semester internship at the state of the art facility of Big Charity Hospital in New Orleans. This medical center school was run entirely by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. My roommate Ruth was a very devout Catholic and attended daily Mass at the beautiful chapel on campus. I asked if I might join her. She said sure, but that I probably wouldn’t like it. She gave me an English missal to follow, as everything was spoken in Latin. I found the words in the missal to be so inspiring, and they deepened my faith in everything I had always been raised to believe about God.
When the semester internship ended, I returned to Baton Rouge. Everything had changed a great deal! The country was preparing to enter World War II and there was a vibrant spirit of purpose and energetic preparation. A large Army Air Corp base had been built, and soldiers in uniform were everywhere. The USO encouraged us young ladies to attend dances and play cards with the soldiers. I knew nothing of dancing and cards, but a young gentleman named Frank was happy to teach me. He was Catholic, and as our friendship grew, we considered marriage. I soon converted to Catholicism, and Frank and I were married. Over the next few years, we were blessed with 5 wonderful children.
Throughout the war, Frank served nearby in the Air Sea Rescue Team, while I worked as a Registered Nurse. At this time, the nation was in great need of nurses, so the American Red Cross hired me to recruit and train nursing aides. This army of nursing aides made it possible for the Registered Nurses to go overseas, where they were needed most. I had 40 student s in my first class! This was a strange time. All lights had to be off before dusk. Blackout shades had to be drawn throughout the night.
Shortly after the war had ended, I lost my husband, and was now a single mother. I was entirely responsible for the parenting and financial support of my children. God was ever present, guiding me forward. I was soon hired as the first lay Director of Nursing at the St. Francis Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, near where my family lived. At St. Francis, I worked in the pharmacy and learned about all the amazing medical advancements that had been developed during the war, such as antibiotics and new surgical procedures.
A few years later, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree at Northwestern State College, and began teaching there. In order to continue teaching, it was soon required that I earn my Master’s degree. I attended the University of Colorado, with my three youngest children in tow. After completing my Master’s degree, I was granted the position of Director of the Clinical Campus in Shreveport, Louisiana. Some years later, I was offered a teaching position at the University of Colorado, where I could earn my PhD in Nursing. By this time, my kids were all grown. I recall looking out into the snow and realizing that for the first time in my life I was completely alone. It was during this time that I met my new love, Fred Blair. God’s Grace had yet again shown upon me. Throughout these 102 years, He has always guided me through raising my children, an in working joyfully to heal and to teach others.

Happy 100th Birthday to World War II vet, self-described life-long teacher and first inductee to Santa Rosa's 100 Club, Karl M. Schmitt.
PFC Schmitt is a native of Louisville, Kentucky who from an early age had an interest in history and current events that would eventually lead him to the University of Texas - Austin where he is now a Professor Emeritus of Government.
After graduating from St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky in June 1940 Karl was admitted to the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. 
It was in the Fall of 1942 in what was to be his junior year Karl was formally sworn into the Army Enlisted  Reserve Corps on September 23, 1942 in Washington D.C. He was eventually called to report for duty on February 22, 1943 (Washington's Birthday) to Camp Lee, Virginia, near Petersburg. From Camp Lee Karl's next assignment was Fort McClellan in northeastern Alabama for 13 weeks of basic infantry training. 
From Alabama to Norfolk, Virginia Karl would embark a Liberty Ship, the William S. Few bound for Bizerte, Tunis on September 3, 1943. From North Africa he traveled across the Mediterranean to Naples bound for the infantry of the 45th Division. The war would eventually send Karl through Italy into France and then Germany. After almost two years on the battle fields of Europe Karl would return to the United States on May 28, 1945.
By September of 1945 Karl would return to Catholic University in Washington D.C.. On December 27, 1947 Karl would meet Grace Leary at her college classmate's wedding to his college roommate. They were immediately attracted to each other and after a whirlwind courtship were married at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Bayside, Queens, New York on June 18, 1948.

Photo: Karl was wounded near Wigen, France on January 8, 1945. This photo was taken in Vaucouleurs, France as he was returning to Company K, 180th Infantry Regiment.