Celebrating a century of service and life of North Bend resident

On Wednesday, the North Bend city honored and celebrated the remarkable North Bend resident, Anna "Penny" Luise Penrod Dahl, who turned 100 years old.

Born on July 17, 1924, in Diamond Springs, KY, Penny grew up in Dayton, Ohio, near two U.S. Army air bases. Inspired by her surroundings, she was determined to serve her country.

In 1941, at 17, Penny wanted to join the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) but was too young. Instead, she contributed to the war effort by working in a machine gun factory until she turned 20. After graduating high school, she joined the WAVES, the women's branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve established during WWII.

Penny attended boot camp in New York City, followed by training in Georgia, and was stationed at a naval air station in Corpus Christi, Texas. As a storekeeper at the commissary warehouse, she ensured that canned foods for dependents on the base were stored correctly. Penny served for the duration of the war plus an additional year to assist with transitioning her duties back to men returning from overseas.

After her service ended in 1946, Penny used her G.I. Bill to attend business college in Dayton. She continued to serve her country in the Civil Service from 1948 to 1950 and was later transferred to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. Penny earned the American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal throughout her service.

Penny married Edward, a U.S. Air Force veteran, in 1951. Edward, who served as a gunner on a B-17 during WWII and fought in the Korean War, passed away in 2018. They were married for 67 years and were blessed with two children, Mark and Gail, who both served in the military. Penny is a proud grandmother to three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

At 100 years old, Penny reflects on her life with gratitude. "I’ve enjoyed my life, and I think I was fortunate. I have a lot of very good memories," she says.

The staff at Inland Point Retirement Community coordinated a 100-year parade celebration for Penny, which included the North Bend Fire Department, North Bend Police Department, AMVETS, and Patriot Guard Riders. Mayor Jessica Engelke asked what advice she might have. Her answer: "Enjoy life ... don't fall, that's one thing that's going to keep you healthy ... and you have to have an interest in life ... be with people."

The city of North Bend said after the event, “Thank you, Penny, for your service and dedication. We are humbled and grateful for your incredible contributions and your family. You are a true inspiration to us all. Happy 100th Birthday, Penny!”