Harry Kaplan got sober in 1975 at the age of 50 after his first wife died and left him to raise their three children alone.

One of the last men standing of the “Greatest Generation,” Harry served in WWII as a radio operator/gunner in the China-Burma-India theater of Operations. He flew a total of 93 missions over the Himalayan mountains – “Over the Hump.” For his service, Harry was awarded many decorations, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

This was also, he said, when he learned how to really drink.

A native New Yorker, Harry was not shy about sharing his experience, strength and hope and he actively sponsored many men throughout his sobriety, right up to the end. He was not a fan of men's meetings originally but became a convert and advocate after joining the Mt. Soledad Men's Group.

One of his favorite sayings was, “Meeting makers make it.” Although he himself found a wonderful wife in AA, he didn't encourage other men to follow his example, saying that when dating women in the program, “the odds are good that the goods are odd.”

On his 93rd birthday, Harry's family produced a wonderful biographical video for him, which you can view here.

Harry died at the age of 95 in his home, surrounded by his family, on December 9, 2020.

Here is the plaque that was placed in Harry's honor at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.