TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) – A World War II veteran marked his 103 birthday.

Thursday, Ken Giles, a resident at Methodist Senior Services’ Traceway Retirement Community, celebrated his big day.

Family and friends gathered last weekend to celebrate Jones’ 103 years of life.

Giles said he has been fortunate to live a long life and credits the 14 principles he tries to live by every day.

“Starting off, you have to have good parents, right genes,” Giles said. “Got to have a good wife, good mate. And going through life, you got to be positive.”

But his age isn’t the only thing that makes his story special.

At 102 years old, Giles got married. The bride, Jean Giles, at 90, is still by his side.