Southwest
Purple Heart recipient, 101 years old, celebrates his birthday at Hooters: 'Just loved it'
When US Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient Harry Perez Cerezo’s 100th birthday was coming up last year, he was not sure how he wanted to celebrate the milestone birthday.
He jokingly told his niece, Josie Ramirez, that he wanted to celebrate at a restaurant where he could see some beautiful women.
What Cerezo did not know at the time was that such a place actually exists: Hooters.
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So Ramirez and her husband took Cerezo to the El Paso location of the famous chicken wing chain for his birthday — and he had a blast.
“He enjoyed and he just loved it. They came and took pictures with him,” Ramirez told Fox News Digital in a phone interview about the staff. “The whole atmosphere — everybody was very, very friendly,” she said.
Army veteran Harry Perez Cerezo celebrated his 101st birthday at Hooters in El Paso, Texas. It was his second year in a row celebrating at the restaurant. (Hooters)
And he loved it so much that he decided to celebrate his 101st birthday at Hooters as well.
“He didn’t think he was going to live to 101,” Ramirez said.
But when his birthday rolled around again, he said he wanted to celebrate the same way he did the year before.
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On Friday, Jan. 5, the Hooters in El Paso, Texas, along with the Veterans of Foreign Wars plus his family and friends, threw Cerezo a party for his 101st birthday.
There were decorations, a cake — and pretty ladies.
In addition to a signed Hooters hat, Cerezo was treated to a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by the chain’s iconic waitstaff.
“He had such a smile on his face,” said Ramirez.
Hooters Girls signed a hat for the U.S. Army veteran’s 101st birthday. (Hooters)
“It was our honor to celebrate Harry’s 101st birthday!” Hooters El Paso wrote on its official Facebook page. “Harry spent 22 years serving his country and is a Purple Heart recipient and World War II and Korean War veteran!”
The company added, “Everyone go wish Harry a happy birthday!”
Wrote one commenter on the Hooters Facebook page, “Happy birthday, Harry. [It’s] a privilege — thank you for your service and sacrifices.”
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Cerezo, who is originally from Puerto Rico, joined the U.S. Army as soon as he was able to as a teenager, Ramirez told Fox News Digital.
“It was our honor to celebrate Harry’s 101st birthday.”
During World War II, “he was sent to Japan,” said Ramirez.
While he was there, he was shot in the back — and ultimately received a Purple Heart.
Following his recovery, Cerezo was sent back into the war. He also served during the Korean War.
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He retired after 22 years in the military, and moved to North Carolina to work for the U.S. Post Office.
After his retirement, he and his wife moved to El Paso. Cerezo’s wife died in 2018.
“He’s a very, very quiet, reserved guy,” said Ramirez.
Cerezo’s niece described him as a “quiet, reserved” person who frequently exercises and watches game shows. He’s shown celebrating his 101st birthday in El Paso, Texas, at Hooters. (Hooters)
Despite his advanced age, Cerezo is “very active,” said Ramirez — he even does daily workouts on his treadmill.
People are often surprised to hear that he is 101 years old, she said.
At age 101, he still does daily workouts on his treadmill.
He watches Mexican soap operas, and absolutely loves watching game shows like “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” every night.
“He will not go anywhere with me until [the shows are] over,” said Ramirez. “He hates Sundays because there are no games.”
As for his future, Cerezo plans on celebrating every birthday that comes along at his new favorite spot: the El Paso Hooters.
“He told [local media] when they interviewed him, he said, ‘I’ll be here ’til I’m 105,’” said Ramirez.
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
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