The El Paso community is rallying around a World War II veteran with a mission that’s both simple and profound: send 100 birthday cards to celebrate a century of life. Air Force veteran Gabriel Malafronte, who flew 15 combat missions over Germany during the war, will turn 100 on November 10, 2025.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has launched the effort as part of the Veterans Land Board’s “100 for 100” program, which aims to honor veterans reaching their centennial milestone at Texas State Veterans Homes.
“Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is encouraging the El Paso community and the State of Texas to send at least 100 cards to Air Force Veteran Gabriel Malafronte,” the commissioner stated in her announcement.
A Century of Service and Life
Malafronte, currently residing at the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home, represents a dwindling generation of World War II veterans. His service included 15 dangerous missions flown over enemy territory in Germany — each one a testament to the courage of America’s “Greatest Generation.”
Why 100 cards? It’s a symbolic gesture matching years with well-wishes, though the Veterans Land Board hopes the community will exceed that number. The “100 for 100” program has become a meaningful tradition in Texas veterans’ facilities, bringing joy to centenarians and connecting them with grateful citizens.
“This program is an outreach effort coordinated by the VLB and the Texas General Land Office to garner support from communities for TSVH residents celebrating this incredible milestone,” officials explained.
The initiative comes under the leadership of Buckingham, who made Texas history in 2022 as the state’s first female Land Commissioner. Beyond veterans’ affairs, her office handles disaster relief, education funding, energy policy, and border security matters.
How to Participate
Those wishing to send birthday greetings to Malafronte can mail cards to: Gabriel Malafronte, Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home, 9650 Kenworthy Street, El Paso, Texas 79924.
For Malafronte and other veterans of his era, such gestures carry profound significance. The cards represent not just birthday wishes but recognition of sacrifices made during a global conflict that defined the mid-20th century.
Dr. Buckingham’s office notes that she is “committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.”
The World War II veteran’s upcoming birthday celebration stands as a reminder of the diminishing opportunity to honor those who served in that conflict. According to the National World War II Museum, fewer than 120,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II were still alive as of 2023, with the number decreasing rapidly each day.
In the end, a simple birthday card might seem like a small gesture. But for a man who once flew through enemy skies to preserve freedom, it’s a fitting tribute to a century of life and service that helped shape the modern world.
