IAF Honours Veteran HFO Samuel James Dominic on 102nd Birthday
The Indian Air Force (IAF) marked the 102nd birthday of one of its senior veterans, Honorary Flying Officer (HFO) Samuel James Dominic (Retd), with a personal visit and public tribute, underlining its continuing ties with retired personnel and its focus on honouring those who have served the force.
Air Force personnel visited the centenarian veteran to convey birthday wishes and to express gratitude for his service to the nation. The gesture was presented as more than a ceremonial greeting; it reflected the enduring relationship between the IAF and its veterans, whose contributions remain an important part of the service’s history and identity.
The visit also served as a salute to Dominic’s long life and to the wider community of air warriors who have worn the uniform with discipline and honour. By recognising a veteran on such a milestone birthday, the IAF drew attention to the individuals whose service helped shape the institution’s legacy over the years.
In a message shared to mark the occasion, the IAF said: “Their service is our legacy. Their honour is our responsibility.” The statement captured the tone of the celebration and the service’s emphasis on preserving the dignity of former personnel long after retirement.
The Directorate of Air Veterans also highlighted the birthday through its social media platform, reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to keeping contact with veterans and acknowledging their contributions well beyond active duty.
The celebration of HFO Samuel James Dominic’s 102nd birthday stands as a reminder of the IAF’s long institutional memory and the respect it continues to accord to those who have served under its banner. For younger generations of air warriors, such moments also offer a direct link to the service’s past and the example set by earlier generations of personnel.
