A local World War II Purple Heart veteran who survived COVID-19 got a special 99th birthday surprise Tuesday.

Joey Casaburi, or Uncle Joey as everyone calls him, survived World War II, the Korean War and a three-month battle with the coronavirus.

"He's a fighter, he's been a fighter forever. If you wanted to meet Superman, he's Superman," said Andrew Lawrence, Casaburi's nephew.

Casaburi has a Purple Heart, but his heart has been lonely this year.

He's been stuck behind a nursing home window during the pandemic, so the Village of Hastings came together to give him a birthday surprise.

Hastings police, fire and the military pulled out all of the stops.

"Uncle Joey set the bar, something that we all aspire to, to serve our country honorably," said Jonathan Pietrantoni, staff sergeant.

"I feel so proud and humbled," said Casaburi.