World War II Vet Celebrates 97th With Fitness Challenge

We'd all love to know the secret to a long and healthy life. But for World War II veteran David Keaggy of Mesa, AZ, physical fitness and pushing himself to the limits is what has kept him staying young since his days in the U.S. Air Force.

To celebrate his 97th birthday this week, Keaggy performed a feat of strength, an annual fitness challenge that he's been keeping up with for over six decades. It all began in his 20s, when he did 85 push-ups in under a minute. Since then, Keaggy has jumped out of a plane for his 70th birthday, bench pressed 225 pounds for his 82nd, and did 83 straight pushups to ring in 90.

This year, Keaggy carried 100 pounds for 100 yards at his local gym, Mountainside Fitness. To accomplish his feat, he carried a 40 pound weight in one hand, a 30 pound weight in the other, and 15 pounds of ankle weights strapped to each leg.

As spectators and local news crews cheered him on, Keaggy crossed the finish line, where the crowd sang him happy birthday. "That was really incredible, I wasn’t expecting that," he said, after catching his breath.

Suffice to say, Keaggy's fellow gym-goers were impressed by his moxie.

“I hope I’m doing the same at his age, I mean that’s what motivates me to come to the gym is people like this," one member told reporters with Arizona's ABC 15 News. "It definitely makes me aspire to live a healthier life," added another.

"It works and I recommend it for anybody that wants to live to be 100,” Keaggy told reporters. "And I will!"

We can only imagine what he has planned for his milestone 100th birthday in three years, but it almost certainly won't disappoint.