Archie Moczygemba served more than 20 years as a U.S. Marine and member of the U.S. Army.
TAYLOR, Texas — Archie Moczygemba has no regrets.
On July 4, 2024, he turned 100 years old. On that day he was showered with love and gratitude. Love from his family and friends. Gratitude from the ones who wanted to thank the man who gave his life for his country during World War II.
“I was stationed on [a] little island directly south of Pearl Harbor,” Moczygemba recalled at the memory, which his grandson said is as sharp as a knife.
Moczygemba was among the first U.S. Marines to enter Nagasaki after the atomic bomb in 1945. Recently, Williamson County honored the local veteran with a proclamation making July 2, “Archie Moczygemba Day.”
To his grandson, he’s a hero and a person who shaped his life in more ways than one.
“I remember his words all the time. Things that he taught me as a kid, and life advice he would give us,” said Jonathan Moczygemba. “We love him. He’s amazing.”
Brandon Darr has his own special connection to Archie Moczygemba. The World War II veteran is his grandfather’s first cousin and currently, he’s living in the house where he was born in.
“The house was built in 1880 by Archie’s grandfather, Frank Moczygemba, and it’s been passed down generation by generation all the way to me,” Darr said.
According to Darr, every time Archie Moczygemba comes by, he can remember all the details from when he was a child to what trees have been replaced. And it’s a generational tie he hopes to keep in place for as long as he can.
“Despite everything in his life that he’s been through, he’s still just as happy as can be and seems grateful for the years that he’s had, so it’s been a blessing to know him and to touch base with him,” Darr said.
Archie Moczygemba said he’s lucky enough to have crossed paths with so many people, and seeing them show up during yet another milestone of his is proof of the plans he believes were set for him.
“You don’t plan your life, it’s planned for you,” Archie Moczygemba said. “I’m very fortunate to be this old. And I’m wondering in my mind, am I being punished by being here for so long or am I being rewarded.”
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