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Be Part of Martinez History
 — one brick, one name,
one legacy at a time.

Purchase a commemorative brick and become a permanent part of downtown Martinez at Ignacio Plaza, next to City Hall and the Boys & Girls Club.

Your brick will help support the Papa Jake Larson Statue Project while creating a lasting tribute for future generations.

Honor your Family name, Business, Bocce team, Union Local, Pickleball team, Soccer team, loved one, veteran, or special message with a custom engraved brick placed in this meaningful community landmark.
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The Best Defense Foundation is a nonprofit organization helping our military veterans and their families.
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Why We Dream has officially been announced! The full documentary premieres this Memorial Day at 6:00 PM PST on CNN.

Papa Jake always said, “I’m not the hero,  I’m here to tell their stories.

”This powerful documentary highlights the stories of five incredible veterans — including our very own Jake 'Papa Jake' Larson.

The film captures the patriotism, sacrifice, courage, grit, wisdom, and determination of the Greatest Generation in a way that will truly move you. These are stories that deserve to live on forever, so future generations never forget the price of freedom.

Immediately following the documentary will be Papa Jake’s Emmy Award-winning interview with Christiane Amanpour. An incredible opportunity to continue hearing his heartfelt message and the stories of those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. ❤️🤍💙

Please tune in, share with family and friends, and help keep these incredible stories alive.

📺  Why We Dream
🗓   Memorial Day May 25th, 2026
⏰  6:00 PM Pacific Time
📍  CNN
Jake in uniform

About Papa Jake

Military Service & WWII Heroism

Jake Larson was born on December 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1938 at just 15 years old, lying about his age to serve his country.

-Served in the 34th Infantry Division and because of his typing skills was later transferred into G3 V Corps , where he earned “BIGOT” clearance, a classification even above Top Secret.

-Played a crucial role in planning the D‑Day landings at Omaha Beach.

-Survived six major WWII battles unscathed:
D-Day- Omaha Beach
Battle of Saint Lô
Battle of Falaise Gap
Battle for Paris
Battle of Luxembourg
Battle of the Bulge




For his courage and service, he was awarded:
-The Bronze Star for his D-Day planning
-France’s Légion d’honneur, the country’s highest honor
Disney photo 4

Awards, Honors & Public Appearances

Papa Jake’s life and service continued to be celebrated in his later years:
  • June 2025: Won a News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Interview – Short Form for his heartfelt CNN interview with Christiane Amanpour
  • Celebrated by Disneyland on his 102nd birthday:
    • Named an honorary citizen
    • Granted a lifetime free pass and recognized during a special celebration
  • Since 2019, Best Defense Foundation in partnership with Delta Air Lines has flown him to Normandy each year for D‑Day ceremonies, treating him as the living hero he was.
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Documentary, Legacy & Cultural Impact

Papa Jake’s influence reached beyond awards and interviews:
 
  • Featured in the Tribeca Film Festival documentary “Why We Dream” (premiered June 6, 2025), chronicling centenarian veterans' return to Normandy.
  • Co-authored the memoir The Luckiest Man in the World, capturing his incredible life.
  • Despite his heroism, he always said:
               “I’m not a hero… I created a new word, I am a 'hereto'. I am 'here to' tell you the real heroes are the ones who didn't make it home,”
               paying tribute to his fallen brothers-in-arms.
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Social Media & Public Recognition

In his later years, Papa Jake found new fame as a viral social media figure:
 
  • Known as “Storytime with Papa Jake” on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
  • Amassed over 1.2 million followers, captivating the world with personal war stories and life lessons
​​​​​​​
  • His storytelling reached a global audience, helping younger generations connect with WWII history through a modern platform
Union papa jake was in

Fun Fact ... 

Jake Larson was associated with Printing Specialties and Paper Products Union, Local 362, a Bay Area printing union whose trade later became part of today’s graphic communications unions.

Printing Specialties and Paper Products Union, Local 362 was part of the vibrant union printing culture of the San Francisco Bay Area. City directories from the 1950s show Local 362 based on Mission Street in San Francisco, right in the heart of the city’s historic printing district. The union represented workers in the specialized printing and paper-products trades — the skilled men and women behind the labels, cartons, paper goods, and printed materials used every day.

Jake Larson’s connection to Local 362 offers a small but meaningful window into that world. A 1964 newspaper clipping names Jake Larson with Printing Specialties and Paper Products Union, Local 362, when the union won a Northern California bowling title — a reminder that unions were not just about jobs, but also fellowship, pride, and community. As the printing industry changed, unions like Local 362 were eventually absorbed through mergers into the graphic communications branch of organized labor, a line that later became part of today’s Teamsters.

Special Thank You to our Sponsors

"With gratitude to our sponsors and every brick purchased, you are helping us build a lasting legacy."

Normandy 81st Anniversary
Battlefield Return Program 2025

WWII heroes returned to the shores of Normandy for the 81st Anniversary of D-Day. Their footsteps remind us that freedom was not just won, it was passed down, a living legacy carried by each veteran.
With our presenting partner, Delta Air Lines, and supporting sponsor, Michelin, the Best Defense Foundation brought these heroes back to the very ground where history was made. This is more than a remembrance; it is about ensuring their legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Watch the official Battlefield Return to Normandy video now. Honor their sacrifice. Carry their story. Continue the legacy.
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The Luckiest Man in the World: Stories from the life of Papa Jake Paperback – June 23, 2021


by Jake Larson (Author), Rita Carlson (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars    356 ratings


From his humble beginnings on a cold December day on a farm without electricity or running water to the shores of Omaha Beach, the spirit of 98-year-old Jake Larson comes to life. Jake invites you inside his unique world, beginning with the harsh realities of daily farm life during The Depression. His loving mother and arms-length father were forced to sell moonshine to subsidize their meager farming profits. He traces his childhood years to high school as the only graduate in the family.Jake outlines his time in the service during The Second World War. From lying about his age at 15 enlisting in the National Guard, to his rare experience moving ranks from the lowest infantry soldier to G3 V Corps. He recalls how he escapes near-death experiences showing us what his daily existence was like and why he is indeed the luckiest man in the world. His story further follows his after-war life and “luck” situations bringing him to the love of his life Lola, moving to California, starting a family, and finding his dream home of today. Jake recalls his medical miracles, from a fall that miraculously removes his 50-year posttraumatic stress disorder shakes, and an operation that eradicates his color-blindness. He chronicles his retirement life to his trips returning overseas for the 75th Anniversaries of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. Jake brings us to the present day with how during a pandemic he became a TikTok sensation, sharing his stories to people around the world. His inspiring story, written in a simple, no-nonsense manner infused with humor and honestly, will captivate you with his sincerity and sense of appreciation for all his blessings. Jake’s subtle sense of self defines him and causes him to stand out as an extraordinary ordinary man.
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