At age 103, Charlie Wilson has been on the Earth long enough to have seen both World Wars -- one of which he fought in -- and has seen the Red Sox win the World Series in both 1918 and 2004.

On Jan. 8, the Board of Selectmen honored Wilson with the Boston Post Cane award, in recognition of his status as Wareham's eldest citizen.

The Boston Post Cane award, established in 1909 by the now-defunct Boston Post newspaper, is handed out by Selectmen in Massachusetts towns to honor the most senior of senior citizens.

Wilson is originally from New Bedford, but has been a resident of Wareham for more than 40 years.

So, what's the secret to his longevity?

“Stay indoors,” he joked.

Born the youngest of seven kids, Wilson quit school at the age of 16 to join the Army. He joined the Navy at age 32 to fight in World War II.

Wilson says he went “practically every place.”

He went to England and saw much of Europe, as he was in the war for “the whole duration,” he said.

Wilson celebrated the honor with housemates and staff of Bourne Manor, where he is currently receiving rehabilitation following an injury.

Friend Ted Wasserman visits Wilson about five days a week.

“He became like my surrogate father” after his biological father died, Wasserman explained.

Wasserman says that he thinks one of the characteristics that has allowed Wilson to live so long is his ability to let things roll off his shoulders, and not get upset over the little things in life.

“He just lets things fall off of him," said Wasserman. "He doesn’t get riled.”