World's oldest man marks 113th birthday

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The Montana resident considered to be the world's oldest man celebrated his 113th birthday Monday.

The invitation-only celebration at the Rainbow Retirement Community in Great Falls featured Walter Breuning giving a brief talk, blowing out candles, sharing cake and meeting guests, including Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

"Glad to see so many people here. Thank you for coming," he told the attendees.

Breuning also was presented with several awards, including a $10,000 check from Scottish Rite Temple members. Breuning then donated the money to the Childhood Language Disorder Clinic in Great Falls.

During his remarks, Breuning said it was unfair to compare this year's recession with the Great Depression, which he lived through.

"During the '30s there was no jobs, no nothing," he said, adding, "Now they've got more money in circulation than they've ever had in history.

Breuning attributes his long life to eating well and keeping physically and mentally active. He also says he takes one aspirin a day.

Breuning was born on Sept. 21, 1896, in Melrose, Minn., and moved to Montana in 1918. He worked for the railroad for 50 years.

Earlier this month, his former employer, BNSF Railway, presented him with a check for $50,000 to be donated to Shriners Hospital in honor of his service.

More from msnbc.com Looking for alien earths? Here they come Resume? Bah! Single tweet earns him a job The climate-fueled march of dengue fever  Were you paying attention? Take our weekly quiz  Sign of the times: eBay holiday ‘panhandling’ Analysis: Obama's speech? Take that, Cheney! Giving back for the holidays? Send us your pictures

MORE FROM WONDERFUL WORLD

Wonderful World Section Front

‘Napoleon’ returns to library after 60 years Half-naked Santas run for charity Homeless brothers in line to inherit billions Woman delivers grandchild on Thanksgiving   $1,000 gold coin dropped in donation bucket Child entrepreneur gives back to kids   Video: Baby saved from washing machine Wedding ring found amid 10 tons of trash Two share U.K.’s largest lottery payout ‘Slow money’ gains momentum Wonderful World Section Front   Add Wonderful World headlines to your news reader: