AUSTIN, Texas (KCBD) - Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is encouraging Texans to send at least 100 birthday cards to Wiley Tow, a World War II Army veteran who lives at the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo, ahead of his 100th birthday on Friday, Aug. 14.

Tow's birthday celebration is open to the public and is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the home's dining room, 1020 Tascosa Rd., according to the Texas Veterans Land Board, which is coordinating the effort with the Texas General Land Office.

Tow was inducted into the U.S. Army on Nov. 4, 1944, and served in the Central European Campaign during World War II. He earned multiple awards, including the Good Conduct Medal and the Army of Occupation Ribbon (Germany), officials said.