In October, WWII and Navy veteran Mary Lou Batman celebrated her 100th birthday. Over 80 of her relatives, friends, Loveland first responders, and fellow veterans joined her at a special parade given in honor of her 100th birthday at the Loveland Sports Park.
WWII Veterans Mary Lou Batman & George Norton
A brief history on Mary Lou begins with her joining the Navy Waves, a women’s reserves unit, when she turned 20. After taking basic training in Brooklyn, NY, then transferred to Stillwater, OK for her secretarial training, and finally transferred to the Naval Station in Corpus Christi, TX, where she served for two years as a bookkeeper and secretary before being discharged in 1946. While there, she met and married her husband Frank Arthur (Art) Batman, another Navy veteran
Mary Lou and Art moved to Pierce Colorado on a farm to start their family, consisting of four children: Josh, Jason, Geery, and Carmen. For 35 years, she volunteered at the local senior center, as a teacher’s aide, and at the local Methodist Church. Today, she has 12 grandchildren and waiting for her first great grandchild.
Veterans Honoring Veterans founder Bart Bartholomew and his staff organized a special parade in honor of Mary Lou’s 100th birthday celebration. The parade consisted of Loveland first responders and other veterans.
Mary Lou has become good friends with another well-known veteran, George “One Shot” Norton (age 99) (pictured with Mary Lou) after meeting each other at the PAMVETS breakfast Club in Loveland six months ago. George had a 30-year career in the Navy serving in WWII through the Vietnam War! Article by Bob Larson.