Arthur Grabiner served aboard the SS Laurens, launching amphibious assaults across the Pacific in New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Philippines and Okinawa.
The New York Mets will honor World War II Navy veteran Arthur Grabiner, a 100-year-old lifelong New Yorker, during the team’s home opener Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field, in Queens.
Grabiner, a veteran of the Pacific theater, was drafted in World War II as a teenager immediately after graduating high school. Grabiner served aboard the USS Laurens, an attack transport ship, experiencing long days at battle stations and taking part in amphibious assaults, said Douglas Grabiner, his son.
“Our honoree for Mets Opening Day is Yeoman 2nd Class Arthur Grabiner of the United States Navy,” the Mets announced. “The New York Mets are proud to honor service members and our Veteran of the Game program has been a longstanding tradition at Citi Field.”
He is a member of the Greatest Generation who came of age during the Great Depression and fought or contributed to U.S. military efforts in World War II. That generation’s numbers are declining fast.
The population of World War II veterans, who are in their late 90s and older, number fewer than 45,000 today, according to the National World War II Museum, in New Orleans, La. They represent less than 1% of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II, according to the museum.
In 2025, Grabiner was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, for his patriotism and contribution to American history. But the recognition at the Mets opening game will hold a special meaning for him.
Arthur Grabiner is an original Mets fan. He has followed the team since its founding in 1962, Douglas Grabiner said.
“I’m grateful to the Mets for selflessly honoring and preserving the legacy of service, sacrifice and valor of our nation’s defenders, myself included,” Arthur Grabiner said.
Although Grabiner, who turned 100 in December, will not throw out the first pitch, he will be on the field to watch the Mets and visiting Pirates warm up at batting practice, Douglas Grabiner said. The Mets then will honor him during a pause in play between the second and third innings, with the announcer detailing his service as a teenager in the Navy as well as his work as a volunteer, according to the Mets.
Fans at home and in the ballpark also will be able to catch a glimpse of Grabiner at the game. His image will be displayed on Citi Field’s multimedia scoreboard during the recognition ceremony, according to the Mets. Photos of Grabiner from his World War II service also will be displayed.
“Born in the Bronx, Arthur [was drafted] just days after graduating high school. He served aboard the USS Laurens in World War II, launching amphibious assaults across the Pacific in New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Philippines and Okinawa,” according to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. “He endured submarine threats, kamikaze attacks and long days at battle stations — logging over 60,000 nautical miles across the Pacific.”
The ceremony at Citi Field will take place a week before the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa — the final major battle of World War II and the largest, deadliest amphibious assault in the Pacific theater, according to the National World War II Museum.
Grabiner, who now uses a wheelchair, continues to keep a busy schedule as a regular volunteer, according to Douglas Grabiner. He shares his military experiences with visitors to the Intrepid Museum, in New York City, where the aircraft carrier Intrepid is permanently anchored in the Hudson River.
“At 100 years young, Dad’s enthusiasm for educating and inspiring younger generations instructs all Americans — people everywhere, of all generations — that old age is not an obstacle to remaining relevant but rather an opportunity to share a modern ager’s experience and wisdom,” Douglas Grabiner said.
The elder Grabiner also has made his annual donations to the Mets’ food and coat drives, which he has been doing for the past 15 years.
“Dad’s unselfish commitment to causes greater than himself demonstrates that modern agers are not dispensable, but rather essential,” Douglas Grabiner said.
- Honor & Remembrance