Happy 85th birthday, Jim Nabors!

The weather was absolutely perfect and the sunset sublime as Jim Nabors and Stan Cadwallader celebrated Jim’s 85th birthday and their 40th anniversary together with a lawn party for almost 300 of their closest friends Friday at their East Honolulu residence.

Carol Burnett was there to celebrate with the man she says was always her “lucky charm” in the days of the “Carol Burnett Show.” Most of the other guests were Hawaii residents who know Nabors for his work as an entertainer, for his support of the Hawaii Humane Society and other charities, and for his long-time support of the United States Marine Corps. Nabors is one of less than 200 people in the history of the Corps to be officially accorded the status of “Honorary Marine.”

Guests enjoyed a Southern-style buffet dinner that included Louisian-style Cajun catfish, sweet corn bread, barbecue pulled pork, braised collard Greens with applewood bacon crisp, country fried chicken tenderloins with gravy, grilled Cajun shrimp skewers, chunks of slow roasted prime rib beef, Southern-style mac-and-cheese and several choices of dessert in addition to two cakes — one for Nabors’ birthday, the other commemorating the anniversary.

Musical entertainment was provided by a spirited group of eight Marine musicians in civilian attire who came on their own to help celebrate. Several party guests noted that the musicians weren’t even born — maybe their parents weren’t even born — when Nabors starred as preternaturally naive Gomer Pyle in “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” in the 1960s.

Congratulatory messages came from across the country. Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, Jr., commanding general United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, delivered the congratulations of President Obama. Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Michael D. Wilson presented Nabors with a proclamation from Sen. Brian Schatz, Larry Rodrigues spoke for Sen. Mazie Hirono, and former Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle represented Congressman Mark Takai.

Gov. David Ige, enjoying the festivities with his wife, Dawn, represented himself and the people of Hawaii when he gave Nabors a proclamation that designated Friday, June 12, 2015, as “Jim Nabors’ Day” in Hawaii.

University of Hawaii President David Lesner presented a similar document on behalf of Nabors’ birth state of Alabama. Pam Burns, president and CEO of the Hawaiian Humane Society, delivered a proclamation from his original hometown of Sylacauga, Ala. Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Hank Stackpole conveyed the congratulations and best wishes of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Joseph Francis Dunford, Jr.

Burnett closed the formal program by giving Nabors a cap and crimson red shirt from his alma mater the University of Alabama.

The party continued with dessert and dancing by the pool. Guests received a commemorative CD as a memento of the evening.