96-year-old war veteran fights cancer while serving as beloved security guard

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — At 96 years old, Henry Sulton is being treated for lung and colon cancer, but he still drives himself to work as a security guard five days a week.

Yes, I take eleven pills a day, but I usually work from about two thirty until six-thirty or later if they need me to work overtime.

For four hours a day, you can catch him greeting visitors at the office building with a smile.

The Korean War and Vietnam War veteran proudly served our country for 23 years and 11 months and is trained in five different military occupation specialties including Infantry, Engineering, Transportation, Quartermaster and medic.

He’s been stationed in Japan, Germany and Vietnam and received The Purple Heart after being wounded in the Vietnam War.

I can’t tell you the names of all the ribbons I’ve received, because I can’t remember all of them,” he quipped.

The Lakeview High School graduate and father of five says his unit at Fort Jackson was the first to be integrated.

He’s the third of five children born to Roscoe and Mary Estelle Fannings Sulton in Lexington County on October 14, 1927.

His siblings David Jeremiah Sulton, Hattie Sulton Ravenell, and Roscoe Jr. all are deceased.

South Carolina has been his home for most of his life, but he said if he could live anywhere else, it would be Florida.

The former Richland One security guard said his favorite book is the Bible and he loves snacking on potato chips while watching sports or game shows starring Steve Harvey.

A member of Daniel Circle Chapel, Sulton says the only advice he could give about longevity is “live for God.”

You can shorten your days, but he kept me here for a reason to spread his word. Over my years I’ve learned the importance of trusting in God.