Bath Borough Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito, Bath Borough Council members, Bath American Legion Post 470, Bath Fire Department, family, friends and neighbors saluted Bath resident Martin Dobis in celebration of his 95th birthday May 30.

A surprise mini-parade by his home on Main Street greeted Dobis, a decorated World War II veteran.

Beth Beers, Dobis’ daughter, along with several others, helped organize the event.

When asked if her father saw combat, Beers said, “He had four or five beach landings in the Philippines during the war. He was in a lot of combat.”

She relayed her father received a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and Army Combat Infantry medals.

The bulk of Dobis’ work life after the war was as a health and retirement fund staff member of the United Mine Workers union.

Sitting in a chair on his front porch, Dobis waved to the large motorcycle contingent, firetrucks, Bath elected officials riding in a large flatbed truck, cars of friends and neighbors, an Army Jeep, an ambulance and other well-wishers.

Dobis is part of Bath history because of his heroic military service, all agreed. The friendship and support offered by a grateful community is a testimony of Bath’s motto - “History nestled with friendship.”