90: The new 70

Last week, the Southeast Missourian and our older adult magazine, TBY: The Best Years, featured inspiring stories of men still making a difference.

The first was about a man named Phillips Brown, who is 90 years old. He participates in the Meals on Wheels program, delivering more than 30 meals every day on 90-minute routes. He's been helping out since his wife died in 1996. The retired university professor also occasionally rides his bike to the center.

The second was a profile of Bob Simpson, the 93-year-old chief of the Cairo Auxiliary Fire Department. He's been involved with the department since it formed 67 years ago. He no longer goes on calls but still handles much of the paperwork.

How inspiring it is to see two men on the other side of 90 so active in their communities. Both men have overcome the aches and pains that 90 years of nature has thrown at them to help others. Thanks, gentlemen. Here's to many more years of public service.