New Eastwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Celebrates Walter Smith’s 95th Birthday

WWII Vet has been Resident of Easton, Pa., Skilled Nursing Facility Since 2009 

EASTON, Pa., July 12, 2019 – Never one to miss a celebration, Walter Smith, a resident at New Eastwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Easton, was sure to invite all the residents, staff and physicians at the skilled nursing facility to join in his recent 95th birthday party with his family. During the festivities, Smith, a World War II veteran, reflected on his experiences, including his military service and special times with family and friends.

“Walter enjoys participating in all of our activities and loves to get everyone else involved too,” said Amy Beatty, activity director at New Eastwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, a Marquis Health Services member. “He is a member of our Bible study group, singer in the choir and member of our resident council. He’s hard to keep up with!”

Smith’s family members, who are frequent visitors to New Eastwood, brought a large cake for the fun-filled celebration.

Born on May 22, 1924, in Bath, Pa., Smith was one of 13 children in his family. He was forced to leave school after the 10th grade to work on his family’s farm and entered the Army in 1943 during WWII. Smith was a member of the 702nd Tank Battalion assigned to the 80th Infantry Division of General Patton’s Third Army, and he fought in the “Battle of the Bulge.” Smith in 2009 moved to New Eastwood with his wife, Bernice; the couple shared 46 years of marriage before her passing.

“Walter is a special part of our community here and is very patriotic,” added Beatty. “He always asks our musical guests to perform ‘God Bless America’ and they are happy to do so for him. Also, every Christmas, he hand-delivers holiday cards to every resident, staff member and doctor. He is a warm-hearted individual and a true example of hard work and service.”

Located at 2125 Fairview Avenue in Easton, New Eastwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care; it is adjacent to Easton Hospital and provides a number of specialized rehabilitation programs, including a recently enhanced cardio pulmonary care offering. The 97-bed facility maintains a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Brick, N.J.-based Marquis Health Services, the healthcare affiliate of Tryko Partners, is a family-owned organization with three generations of skilled nursing involvement. Today, 75 percent of the Marquis Health Services portfolio has received four- and five-star ratings for outstanding care.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Walter Smith (seated), a resident of New Eastwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, celebrated his 95th birthday with friends and family members, including (left and right) his son, Bruce, and stepson, Jake.

Media inquiries: 
Sandy Crisafulli/ Maxine Aviles
Caryl Communications
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