SAN ANTONIO -- Michael Ordener celebrates his birthday in an unusual way, at his best friend's gravesite.

"Buzzy and I were so close. He was my best friend," Ordener said.

Francis Marion Logan III, known affectionately as "Buzz," died 40 years ago in Vietnam.

Buzz was a Green Beret when he was shot and killed on Ordener's birthday.

Ordener said until eight years ago, his birthday was one of the saddest days of the year.

"It's always been kind of a sad day," Ordener said.

But eight years ago, Logan's nephew, Stephen Fino, suggested they start a new tradition by celebrating Ordener's birthday at Logan's gravesite at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. And just like that, a tradition was born.

"We light cigarettes and put them on his grave and allow him to spend a little time with us as we spend time with him," Fino said.

And while the celebration may seem a little unorthodox to onlookers, Ordener said that it's made his birthday, which was once a sad day, more meaningful.

"This is where Buzzy is and so we come here," Ordnener said.