Dexter World War II Veteran Voted in Every Election Since Roosevelt

For the 18th time in his life, Bill Lowery of Dexter Township cast his ballot for U.S. president on Tuesday.

"I haven't missed an election since I've been able to vote," he said.

Lowery, 91, a World War II veteran, said this year's election is particularly important due to all the local, state, and national candidates running for office.

"The divisiveness between the Democrats and Republicans has gotten out of hand," he said. "Neither one of the candidates wants to come to the middle and unite our country."

For that reason, Lowery offered to volunteer at his local polling station on Tuesday to help encourage residents to vote.

"I think that everyone should come out to vote, especially given the state of our current economy," he said.

His friend and former roommate, Sen. George McGovern, the Democratic nominee for president in 1972, would agree.

"George was always for the little guy, and so am I," he said. 

The former B-24 bomber pilot said he had the option to vote absentee but declined, in favor of coming to the polls on Election Day.

"Why should I vote absentee? As long as I'm able to walk, I'll come to the polls myself," he said.

Renee Warren, a committee member for Judge Jim Fink's re-election campaign, said its "wonderful" to see so many people coming out to vote.

"Thousands of veterans died in order to preserve our freedom to vote," she said. "All of us should be grateful to live in a country where we don't have to be afraid to have a voice."

UPDATE: Bill Lowery has been chosen as the Huffington Post's Greatest Person of the Day, which features stories of people across the nation who are confronting major issues and making a difference in their community.