John Mims has endured more than almost anyone during his 88 years, but he said the key is just never letting yourself slow down.
The Aberdeen, NC resident is the last living survivor in NC of the World War II Bataan Death March, where as many as 10,000 prisoners were killed during a 60-mile trek in the Philippines. His bravery helped Mims earn a Purple Heart, but he doesn’t look for glory.
Instead, the 88-year old is just enjoying his days of peace. He receives private care five days a week, and is still getting over a bout with pneumonia, but he still manages to look ahead.
“I think if I slowed up I’d die, but my wife won’t let that happen,” he said. “She and I both want me to keep going.”
Mims has been receiving care from Liberty Private Care Services, a sister company to Liberty HomeCare & Hospice Services, for more than a decade. He credits his visiting nurse, Kathleen Woods, for helping tend to his needs and giving him the kind of senior care that makes his quality of life much higher.
Mims said those receiving private care should always try to be as active as possible, whether they have a caregiver at home to help, or are living by themselves. He said finding the best home care provider can be a big benefit, and said at home care can be very beneficial.
Mims has maintained his own persistence long before he received care at home. That persistence helped Mims through the Bataan Death March almost 70 years ago and the four years as a prisoner of war that followed. His weight dropped down to 60 pounds by the end of the ordeal, but he said he remained determined to stay alive.
“”They would turn if they heard a leaf fall in the woods,” he said. “I just learned to stay quiet and get through it.”
After returning home, Mims was married and eventually raised 25 children with his first wife Juanita. They were married for 57 years, and he has spent the past 30 years sharing his story with schools and colleges. Mims has also had many reunions with veterans of World War II and other wars, traveling to Nevada, New Mexico and other locations throughout the U.S.
But every time he meets with them, Mims says he feels the same emotions.
“Any time they have a parade or anything like that for a veteran, I stand tall with what little I have left,” he said. “Everything I have accomplished I feel pretty proud about. I think I do pretty good.”
