She’s Literally Older Than Sliced Bread: Virginia Beach WWII Vet Celebrates 105 Years of American History
Here’s a fun piece of trivia: When was the “greatest thing since sliced bread” actually invented? The answer is 1928, and a certain celebrated resident of Virginia Beach can tell you exactly what life was like before that era-defining invention. A local World War II veteran, now a remarkable 105 years old, recently marked her birthday, making the popular expression literal in the most heartwarming way.
The veteran, a cherished member of America’s Greatest Generation, was born around 1920, placing her a full eight years ahead of the first commercially available loaf of pre-sliced bread. The famous machine, invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, didn’t make its debut until July 1928 in Missouri, and the convenience didn’t truly sweep the nation until the early 1930s. For the first decade or so of her life, like all American families, the chore of slicing a loaf of bread by hand every day was simply a fact of life. By 1933, however, approximately 80% of all bread sold in the U.S. was pre-sliced, a revolution in the kitchen that cemented the phrase “greatest thing since sliced bread” into our cultural lexicon.
Her monumental 105th birthday offers a stunning perspective on the sheer volume of history one life can contain. Born in a world recovering from World War I and before women even had the guaranteed right to vote across the entire country, she has lived through an astonishing array of transformative events. Her childhood was set against the Roaring Twenties; she came of age during the depths of the Great Depression; and as a young woman, she answered the call of duty during World War II.
The veteran’s service during the war is a testament to the resilience and commitment of the generation that helped save the world. While the specific details of her role are a private family matter, her contribution is part of the legacy of over 16 million Americans who served in the Armed Forces between 1941 and 1945. It’s a legacy of sacrifice and service that defines what Tom Brokaw famously dubbed “The Greatest Generation.”
Today, the Virginia Beach community is celebrating not just a milestone birthday, but a living connection to a bygone era. Her life spans everything from the introduction of mass-produced, sliced bread to the rise of the digital age. It’s a journey that speaks to enduring strength and the quiet patriotism that characterized her peers.
As her family and friends gathered to celebrate this incredible milestone, they honored a life well-lived and a spirit that has witnessed unparalleled change. It’s a powerful reminder that while technology, politics, and daily conveniences change at a dizzying pace, the character and impact of a life dedicated to service and family remain the greatest things of all.