Having Lived Through America’s Glory Days and Tough Days, This 102-Year-Old Veteran Is Still Going Strong

Dominick Critelli has survived the Great Depression, World War II, several recessions, and the recent pandemic.

Critelli (far right), with an army buddy (far left) and two German POWs, in Warendorf, Germany on May 18, 1945. （Courtesy of Dominick Critelli）

Dominick Critelli was born before the invention of the parking meter, masking tape, bubblegum, and chocolate chip cookies.

On his date of birth, April 8, 1921, Warren G. Harding was the newly inaugurated president. Since then, Critelli has seen 18 commanders-in-chief occupy the White House. Critelli is old. And he’s seen it all.