Senator Ashley Moody took to the Senate Floor recently to honor Florida's oldest living World War II veteran, Duane Brewton, as he celebrated his 109th birthday. Born February 5th, 1917, Brewton served as a Private in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Vire, France from 1944 to 1945. In a statementmade by Senator Moody's office, she noted Brewton's distinguished service, which earned him a Purple Heart after being wounded in the line of duty.
In her address, Senator Moody extolled the virtues of Mr. Brewton, highlighting the exemplary life he led upon returning home from war. "As the proud granddaughter of a World War II Army veteran, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Duane Brewton of Cantonment, Florida, on the extraordinary occasion of his 109th birthday celebrated on February 5th, 2026," Moody said, as stated by the Senator's Office. The senator made sure to publicly recognize not only Brewton's contribution to his country during the war but also his lifetime commitment to faith, service, and community thereafter.
Moody's remarks continued to reflect deeply on the legacy left by those of Brewton's generation. "They did not do it for recognition. They did not ask for praise. They simply did their duty," she said, according to her press release. In addition to his service, Mr. Brewton raised a family and became an embodiment of the values he fought to protect, setting an example of humility, discipline, and integrity. With more than 1.4 million veterans residing within its borders, Florida remains one of the top states for veteran population.
