7-year-old Pennsylvania girl surprises 100-year-old 'best friend' on his birthday

Friday, December 29, 2023
NEWTOWN TWP., Pennsylvania -- A Bucks County, Pennsylvania man celebrated his 100th birthday in style on Friday, and it was his 7-year-old best friend who pulled out all the stops to make his day memorable.

Layla Leuthy Peck pulled up to Joe Gagliardi's house in epic fashion, riding on a Newtown Township Fire truck. She arrived as the sirens and horns were blaring for a party like no other.
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Gagliardi is celebrating a very special milestone birthday.

"We're both the same age," joked Gagliardi.

Give or take 93 years.

"How long have you guys been friends?" we asked.



"Since I was a baby," replied Layla.

On this centenarian celebration, the World War II veteran received a flag flown in his honor over the capital building in Washington D.C.
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The Newtown Fire and Police departments came out in waves to shake his hand and wish him well. That includes Layla's dad Sean Peck, a Penndel policeman himself.

"I grew up two houses down. I always listened to Joe's stories as a veteran and that encouraged me to join the Army," said Peck.

The showstopper: Layla brought 100 handmade cards from her friends at St. Andrew's Catholic School in Newtown.

"I thought, 'Since he's turning 100 maybe we should make him 100 cards, 'cause he's a good person!' We made 100 cards, the whole first grade did," said Layla.



Joe is a living example of service and sacrifice and now Layla is picking that up.
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