Grandchildren seeking cards for their WWII veteran grandfather’s 97th birthday

By Shannon McLellan

A World War II veteran's family is looking to give him a 97th birthday he will "card-ly" forget.

Alfred Zieg, a Navy veteran, turns 97 on May 31. He currently resides in an assisted living facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, and due to the coronavirus pandemic, his family will be unable to visit him on his birthday.

Rebecca Rager

Cap: Alfred Zieg was married to his wife, Thelma, for 62 years before she passed away in 2008.

Zieg was married to his wife, Thelma, for 62 years before she passed away in 2008. The couple had three children, 10 grandchildren and Zieg also now has several great grandchildren.

Two of Zieg's grandchildren, sisters Rebecca Rager and Andrea Cruise, were thinking of ways they could make their grandfather's birthday special even though they can't celebrate with him. They decided they wanted to throw him a "card shower" and ask people to send in their cards wishing him a happy birthday.

The sisters put a call out on Facebook and are hoping people will send their grandfather cards from all over the world to let him know that they are thinking about him on his big day.

"We're just wanting to hopefully bring a smile to his face and let him know that we're thinking about him," Rager said. "Even though it's different this year we love him and want to wish him a happy birthday."

Rager also hopes the influx of cards will bring joy to other residents in the assisted living facility and give them something to look forward to each day.

Rager family

Alfred Zieg with his granddaughter Rebecca Rager.

"Hopefully maybe the other residents will get a kick out of this if they find out he's getting all the mail," Rager said.

For Zieg's family, like many others during this pandemic, it's difficult for them to not spend the day with him.

"We really want to make his birthday special for him because we don't know how many more we'll get," Rager said. "Fingers crossed for many more, but we are trying to make this one extra special."

If you are interested in sending Alfred Zieg a birthday card you can find more information here: