Carlsbad veteran celebrates 100 years young

CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Retired Airman Colonel Ken Gallagher is celebrating his 100th birthday, something he attributes to good luck.

“We’re not health nuts, don’t get me wrong, we’re not vegan," Gallagher said while laughing.

Gallagher spoke about his "charmed life," especially with his wife who he called his "child bride."

Karen and Ken have been married for more than five decades. She is 18 years his junior.

“I don’t have a walker, or a cane, or a scooter, or anything and I still have a driver’s license,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher, as he’s known, served in World War II, Vietnam and Korea, flying the infamous B-17 bomber.

“I never got wounded. Never got shot down, anything like that. I flew my combat missions in World War II - the B-17. I never had any scares in my flying time. But at that age, you're immortal, you don’t have sense enough to be scared."

As he unwraps some gifts on this "century in the making" celebration, FOX 5/KUSI asked him to share some wisdom, a nugget of advice on how he came to be so healthy as he reaches this major milestone.

“I don’t know that I have any great philosophy. I kind of took everything as it came along. I tried to take the opportunities. I don’t know how to answer that question. I've lived such a charmed life that I can’t believe how lucky I am.”