As we get older, there comes a point in our lives when we just don’t want to do some of the things we did when we were younger.  We don’t stay up at night as late as we used to; we don’t drink alcoholic beverages to excess and typically, on New Year’s Eve, we are in bed by 9:00 p.m.  But not Gerald Decker.

Gerald, who is the publisher of Teen Scene and President of the Board is also the new  Commander of VFW Post 12196.  He is active in the Leland Chamber of Commerce and participates in a variety of community service events.

Gerald often challenges the what “should be off limits” for our age group, and he did it again on Wednesday, April 24, when he competed in the Senior Olympics at Southern Brunswick High School, in the shot put and discus events.

Winning a bronze and a silver medal, Gerald said, “I got a bronze medal in shot put and I missed the gold medal in discus by one inch—not a bad day.”  He joked, “I was just happy that I beat the woman and the 85 year-old guy!.”  Gerald continued, “Congratulations to the winners and all of the competitors, it was a great event.”

So, hats off to Gerald for being the gutsy, “thumb your nose at age,” kind of guy that he is.  We at Teen Scene wouldn’t have him any other way.

Editor’s Note:  Upon receiving hundreds of inquiries regarding Gerald’s condition after competing, Mrs. Decker stated that he was alive and well and currently napping.