Jimmy Carter is marking his 100th birthday, making him the first US president to reach this remarkable milestone.
The former peanut farmer will celebrate at the home he and his late wife Rosalynn constructed in Plains, Georgia during the 1960s.
Mr. Carter brought postal service back to the small town, which has around 600 residents, and has been a consistent and cherished figure there ever since.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the festivities will feature a lunch with 20 members of his extended family.
“We are overjoyed that the president from this small town is going to be the only president to ever turn 100 years old,” said Jill Stuckey, the superintendent of the US National Park Service’s Jimmy Carter historical site and a longtime family friend.
She made her remarks from Plains High School, where Mr. Carter graduated in 1941, which now serves as the visitors center for the national park that includes significant sites from his childhood, such as the nearby peanut farm where he spent his formative years.
The school will host a concert featuring local musicians as well as a naturalization ceremony for 100 individuals.
A military flyover is also planned, which will include four Navy F-18s that Mr. Carter should be able to see from his home.
Ms. Stuckey noted that this tribute is especially fitting, given that he contributed to the US Navy’s nuclear submarine program, achieving the rank of lieutenant.
In Plains, Georgia, a tribute to Jimmy Carter sits alongside a Trump campaign poster.
President Joe Biden honored his predecessor with a video statement on CBS over the weekend, calling the Nobel Peace Prize winner “a moral force for our nation and the world.”
“Your dedication to a better world and your steadfast belief in human goodness remain a guiding light for all of us,” Mr. Biden expressed.
In addition to serving a term as president from 1977 to 1981, Mr. Carter acted as a global mediator, rights advocate, and elder statesman, founding the esteemed Carter Center in 1982 to fulfill his vision of international diplomacy.
His presidency included the historic 1978 Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt, the establishment of diplomatic relations with China after a thaw initiated by President Richard Nixon, and the return of the Panama Canal to Panama.
However, his administration faced several challenges, notably the Iran hostage crisis and the oil crisis of 1979-1980.
A devout Baptist and self-described “born-again” Christian, Mr. Carter is remembered for his moral principles and has gained admiration even from his critics.
“His healthy habits and strong faith are major reasons he is still so engaged today,” said Ms. Stuckey, noting his passion for fresh food and regular exercise.
Jimmy Carter is seen in a photo from 1971.
According to family members, Mr. Carter maintains a keen interest in politics and is highly motivated to reach his 100th birthday so he can vote in the upcoming election for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris.
“He will be casting his vote by mail-in ballot,” Ms. Stuckey stated, adding that “he’s always been very politically active, and that hasn’t changed.”
In Plains, as in many rural areas with strong evangelical Christian views, there are significantly more signs supporting Republican Donald Trump than Ms. Harris.
Nonetheless, it is not unusual to see a sign celebrating Mr. Carter’s centennial birthday placed next to one for Mr. Trump.
Carl Lowell, a lifelong resident of the town, mentioned that he tries to avoid political discussions because it is “so divisive” at present.
Like many residents of the town, he has personal connections to Mr. Carter. He shared that his grandfather helped build the Carters’ home, and he even went dove hunting with the former president once.
“Jimmy’s a good man; he’s a godly man, and that’s what people appreciate about him,” remarked the 59-year-old retired firefighter.
For 72-year-old Inez Battle, Mr. Carter’s initiatives in establishing the Boys and Girls Club in Plains hold significant importance.
He did this specifically for the community’s African American children, providing them “somewhere to go and learn after school,” she noted.
Ms. Battle, a board member of the organization, fondly recalls Mr. Carter’s involvement in meetings, stating, “Instead of directing, he would ask for your opinion.”
Regarding his 100th birthday, Ms. Battle expressed, “It’s a blessing.”
