World War II veteran and longtime pillar of the Fenway Victory Gardens community Arthur Rose celebrated his 107th birthday last weekend.

Rose is a well-respected and beloved member of the community. At a party celebrating his birthday last week, a number of elected officials presented citations to formally recognize him. On Monday, a Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag was flown above the State House in his honor.

“It was just so heartwarming to see the love and the respect that people have for him and the life that he’s led,” said Susan Povak, a friend of Rose’s through the Victory Gardens, who attended the party. “People literally lined up at the microphone to be able to give their own personal thank-yous and remembrances and thoughts.”

At the party, which was organized by community food assistance program Fenway Cares, Rose was serenaded by flute soloist Paula Robison and a chorus of attendees in “Happy Birthday,” and his chair was decorated with big golden balloons spelling out “107.”

Rose has led an incredible life. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, including on D-Day in the Omaha Beach invasion of Normandy, and later served in the Korean War. City Councilor Ed Flynn, also a Navy veteran, attended the party and spoke to Rose about his service.

“It was special for me as a Navy veteran to say thank you to another fellow veteran, to thank him for his incredible service and sacrifice for our nation,” Flynn said. “It was wonderful to see him. That’s the greatest generation, and he’s a great man. I’m proud to call him a fellow veteran, but also proud to call him a Bostonian that has contributed so much to our city.”

Rose was originally born in North Dakota but has lived in Boston since just after the end of the war. He began gardening in the Fenway Victory Gardens, a section of the Fens set aside for community gardening plots, and the oldest World War II victory garden in the country. He became a major figure there, both because of his time spent in his plot and because he ran the water system for the entire area.

“ I was one of the people who sat under his lilac tree, his incredible lilac tree, in the shade,” Povak said. “We would just sit there for hours, talking about everything. He was on the main path in the Victory Gardens, so the people that pass by, it’s like a parade of characters. Just a wonderful place to be.”

Rose only gave up his plot three years ago, when, Povak said, he could no longer get down on his hands and knees to tend to his seeds. Povak has moved for him to be named an honorary member of the Gardens.

Two years ago, at his 105th birthday, Rose had been presented an American flag flown above the U.S. Capitol Building. State Representative Jay Livingstone purchased a Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag two days after the celebration and arranged for it to be flown above the State House; it will now be formally presented to Rose.

The Boston Guardian wishes Arthur Rose a very happy birthday!