Steve Hartman presents this weeks Assignment America from Great Falls, Mont., where 112-year-old Walter Breuning proudly stands as the oldest man currently living in the nation.
He lived through 2 presidential assassinations, a great depression, 9/11, Watergate, man walking on the moon, 2 World Wars, and 20 US presidents. RIP :(
You forgot he could still remember where he was when the Titanic sank, the Korean War and Vietnam War Broke out, the Persian Gulf and Iraq War Broke out and countless other historical event during the 20th century and early 21st century. It is kind of crazy to think of the variety of time periods that man had lived through.
I think its funny how Walter witnessed the invention of CRT TVs in the 1930's/1940's and also saw the introduction of flatscreen HDTVs in the 2000's/2010's.
I work at an assisted living center and we just had a resident turn 100. Had a birthday cake, champagne, the whole deal. We are so lucky to have people who can remind us of a long forgotten time.
Ha ha, after performing at several nursing homes in my area with my drama club, it was so funny and refreshing to see Walter zooming around his care home in his scooter. He has more energy and enthusiasm than most people I saw near Christmas! I'm so glad I wrote to him and got a letter back!
thats so cool, the best part is when he's talking about his grandfather in the civil war and then tells what he was doing during all the different presidencies
One thing I think is funny Walter could remember where he was when the Titanic sank originally (1912), where is he was when the 1950's Titanic film came out, where he was when they discovered the Titanic in the 1980's, where he was when the 1997 Titanic film came out, and finally where he was when the 3D Blurray release of Titanic 1997 film came out in early 2011 before his death.
My great-grandpa was born back in 1900, and had great memory up until he died at 106 following several strokes. It was really awesome to listen to him tell stories from an era before most of our "necessities" were even invented or created. It's really too bad he didn't have any kids...not many people go search out people from outside the family.
I would love to be around that long, and be as fit and healthy as I could. It seems to me that the main thing that will make life not enjoyable anymore will be poor health. Stay active, stay healthy, have fun, life will still be good. This man is just incredible. He's seen so much, I hope more people take the opportunity to interview him and get whatever knowledge we can while he's still around. Think how much he has accumulated! I want to know his opinion on many things!
That guy is amazing. I can't imagine what he's lived through. It's like all of us living now, with cars on streets and all, and then 112 years from now there's a cloud city. He was alive when cars were barely being invented, when America was barely a country (most of the states weren't states yet), and have lived through most of the presidents and wars, and after all of that, he has a smile on his face here. What a life.
I wish I knew about him when I was in seventh grade in 2001, because then he had many years ahead of him and he seemed like such a good guy whom I only learned about when he was only going to live 2 more years!
as they said, talking to him you could learn so much stuff about what happened back then, through someone that actually saw these things. talking to him is a once in a lifetime chance, and i wouldent pass it up
Haha "hard to see" I'd love to meet him, he reminds me so much of my grandfather. I do wish people these days had more respect for elders. I was in the same situation a few months ago as Violet7Stella, I about cried it was so sad
@Violet7Stellawhat time i was at a synagogue service and i was sitting in the back next to an elderly man probably about ninety years old. WHen he went to stand up, he lost his balance and fell. Prayer service was stopped while myself and others helped him and made sure he was OK, but not even his own family (sons, grandchildren, friends) even helped him up
I've seen that picture of him in 7th Grade. Amazingly, its from 1907. I also know that he joined the railroad company in 1913, and got married in 1927. And this man is still alive today in the 21st Century.
I've written a novel called "Sarah Conrad of Eagle Creek." Its about a 16 year old girl growing up in Montana in the year 1910. One of her friends is 14. That means, Walter could have been a character in my book. Amazing. You can listen to it on CZcams.
"Remember that life's length is not measured by its hours and days, but by that which we have done therein. A useless life is short if it lasts a century. There are greater and better things in us all, if we would find them out. There will always be in this world - wrongs. No wrong is really successful. The day will come when light and truth and the just and the good shall be victorious and wrong as evil will be no more forever." - Walter Breuning
yeah he's very much still alive at the age of 114 and a half, he is still in excellent health. Aswel as having being the oldest living man for almost 2 years he is now the second oldest living person in the world!
He lived through 2 presidential assassinations, a great depression, 9/11, Watergate, man walking on the moon, 2 World Wars, and 20 US presidents.
RIP :(
You forgot he could still remember where he was when the Titanic sank, the Korean War and Vietnam War Broke out, the Persian Gulf and Iraq War Broke out and countless other historical event during the 20th century and early 21st century. It is kind of crazy to think of the variety of time periods that man had lived through.
I think its funny how Walter witnessed the invention of CRT TVs in the 1930's/1940's and also saw the introduction of flatscreen HDTVs in the 2000's/2010's.
It's hard to imagine living that long. If I were to live that long I would see the year 2097.
He's born in 1896, I was born in 1996..so If I lived as long as he, I would see the year 2111
I would see 2112
"Why hell, you sure can!"
May you live another hundred years. You've earned the right to curse far worse than that on national television.
A grandfather who fought in the Civil War wow ...
Walter was the oldest man who I heard say hell, RIP Mr. Bruening
Loved this piece when it first aired. He seemed like a really nice guy.
RIP Walter!
Walter is awesome!!!! This is absolutely amazing, and an inspiration to everyone.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️wishing you many more healthy years Mr. Walter
RIP Walter Bruening (1896-2011) We will miss you.
I just love this man. Just watching him makes me feel good. What a great attitude he has.
He's 114 now. Still kicking!
Its amazing that he lives in the 19th, 20th, and now the 21st century he must have lived a very healthy life.
I work at an assisted living center and we just had a resident turn 100. Had a birthday cake, champagne, the whole deal. We are so lucky to have people who can remind us of a long forgotten time.
God Bless you Walter. You were born 2 years before my grandfather. I would love to hear your stories....
Great Falls, MT is soooo BEAUTIFUL!! :)
he is so awesome..
what a cool old man, hope he lives many more years keep going walter... from England
simply amazing- good story
OMG that guy is so cool haha
Bless his heart
this is so awsome
That's amazing!
Ha ha, after performing at several nursing homes in my area with my drama club, it was so funny and refreshing to see Walter zooming around his care home in his scooter. He has more energy and enthusiasm than most people I saw near Christmas! I'm so glad I wrote to him and got a letter back!
Its amazing he remembers his grandfather fighting in the Civil War. Incredible.
It is in mono (Left channel), so if you've only got one speaker or a mono speaker then you might not be able to hear it.
awsome!
wait... 114?!?!?
Awesome, Great Falls finally gets some spotlight. Rock on Walter!
Amazing
this has to be CBS's best piece ever!!!!!
thats so cool, the best part is when he's talking about his grandfather in the civil war and then tells what he was doing during all the different presidencies
One thing I think is funny Walter could remember where he was when the Titanic sank originally (1912), where is he was when the 1950's Titanic film came out, where he was when they discovered the Titanic in the 1980's, where he was when the 1997 Titanic film came out, and finally where he was when the 3D Blurray release of Titanic 1997 film came out in early 2011 before his death.
that is so cool!
A women in a village in the north mountains of Algeria is 148 years old and she is still living till today.
Any way RIP for this remarkable guy.
My great-grandpa was born back in 1900, and had great memory up until he died at 106 following several strokes. It was really awesome to listen to him tell stories from an era before most of our "necessities" were even invented or created. It's really too bad he didn't have any kids...not many people go search out people from outside the family.
I would love to be around that long, and be as fit and healthy as I could. It seems to me that the main thing that will make life not enjoyable anymore will be poor health. Stay active, stay healthy, have fun, life will still be good.
This man is just incredible. He's seen so much, I hope more people take the opportunity to interview him and get whatever knowledge we can while he's still around. Think how much he has accumulated!
I want to know his opinion on many things!
what a legend, wish him all best...
I want to meet this guy!
Love this guy.
What an amazing human being.
It would be a treat to hear this old man tell some stories.
WOAH, he can STAND! way to go
i want meet him soooooooooooooooo bad, i could just sit there for hours to listen to him talking about what everything was like
That guy is amazing. I can't imagine what he's lived through. It's like all of us living now, with cars on streets and all, and then 112 years from now there's a cloud city. He was alive when cars were barely being invented, when America was barely a country (most of the states weren't states yet), and have lived through most of the presidents and wars, and after all of that, he has a smile on his face here. What a life.
I heard he left his wallet in Noah's ark
Happy Birthday, Mr. Walter! :)
Wow. 112 and still very sharp. That's quite remarkable. He must have a lot of stories to tell.
Your right that,is a legend.
Happy belated birthday, Walter!
amaziing
Rip thank you love you
omg that is awesome
I wish I knew about him when I was in seventh grade in 2001, because then he had many years ahead of him and he seemed like such a good guy whom I only learned about when he was only going to live 2 more years!
He is turning 114 years old today, Happy Birthday, Walter! :D
Born in 1896. A legend.
I know people in their 50' who aren't anywhere near this healthy and sharp. I would love to meat you Walter.
I really do respect that :)
I live in Great Falls, He became the oldest man in the world and recently died :( RIP
There is so many 100 year olds or almost 100 year olds is Montana
as they said, talking to him you could learn so much stuff about what happened back then, through someone that actually saw these things. talking to him is a once in a lifetime chance, and i wouldent pass it up
He also gained the title of being one of the few people who lived during parts of three different centuries! :)
Thats just incredible!
thats amazing he can still stand
WOW THATS CRAZY
Haha "hard to see" I'd love to meet him, he reminds me so much of my grandfather. I do wish people these days had more respect for elders. I was in the same situation a few months ago as Violet7Stella, I about cried it was so sad
thats amazing, good for him
I wish I could talk to him and find out what his thoughts are, negative and positive, about America's progress through his years
@Violet7Stellawhat time i was at a synagogue service and i was sitting in the back next to an elderly man probably about ninety years old. WHen he went to stand up, he lost his balance and fell. Prayer service was stopped while myself and others helped him and made sure he was OK, but not even his own family (sons, grandchildren, friends) even helped him up
duuude he is so badass with that scooter.
R.I.P. he seemed like such a nice guy D:
He reminds me of my grandfather--who just died earlier this summer--except for the fact that he has nearly thirty years on him.
wow , he lived for 2 years after this
god bless him .
Thank you gramps... by the way is that your mom in your profile pic? I couldn't tell I'm only used to seeing the top of her head.
Hope he lives some more
long live for him!
alright this was a year ago so is he still alive now? and i dont mean that meanly......
I've seen that picture of him in 7th Grade. Amazingly, its from 1907. I also know that he joined the railroad company in 1913, and got married in 1927. And this man is still alive today in the 21st Century.
Wow.
This is almost like immortality!
R.I.P. :(
I've written a novel called "Sarah Conrad of Eagle Creek." Its about a 16 year old girl growing up in Montana in the year 1910. One of her friends is 14. That means, Walter could have been a character in my book. Amazing. You can listen to it on CZcams.
this dude is 100 years older than me.
both born in 95
He was 89 years old when i was born!!!
I want to hear him talk about the civil war to bad he passed RIP
R.I.P.
can't believe he was born in the 1800's , simply astounding
"Remember that life's length is not measured by its hours and days, but by that which we have done therein. A useless life is short if it lasts a century. There are greater and better things in us all, if we would find them out. There will always be in this world - wrongs. No wrong is really successful. The day will come when light and truth and the just and the good shall be victorious and wrong as evil will be no more forever." - Walter Breuning
hoe heet hij dan
My Lord. This guy is 112?! I've seen people in their 80's who are far worse off than him. It's amazing that his memory and speech is still so clear.
I really want to know what he thinks of todays society, youth, music etc
r.i.p Walt
Aww, it made me really sad when I heard that he'd died earlier this week. D= Inspirational guy; rest in peace. =(
Fine use of an illustrated timeline.
yeah he's very much still alive at the age of 114 and a half, he is still in excellent health. Aswel as having being the oldest living man for almost 2 years he is now the second oldest living person in the world!
man thats crazy hering your grandfather talk about the civil war!
Nice interview. However, I never did hear how old the man was???
@llHyRaXll you have to get invited and its very difficult to get in..
He lived in 3 different centurys.
r.i.p henry allingham and well done Walter Breuning for becoming the worlds oldest man
Amazing
He sounds like a really funny guy
my grandfather would've cried if he heard the word 'Hell'
That guy's pretty much a hero to me.
Pretty badadd old guy.
"second marriages never work"..."today first marriages don't work" priceless.