On Sept. 27, 1943, his 18th birthday, he joined the Marine Corps. And on Sept. 27, 2025, on what would have been his 100th birthday, Larimer County honored the World War II veteran with a first-of-its-kind plaque at the county’s Loveland campus. The plaque, in the main lobby of the Loveland county building, was unveiled after speeches from Larimer County commissioners, fellow veterans and his daughter, who said she was honored that her father was the first to be recognized in such a way. Thurman joined the Armed Forces on his 18th birthday and was selected for training in special forces, becoming a Marine sniper soon after. After releasing the balloons and taking a moment to stare at them as they drifted up, Karen Thurman mused about her feelings.