Soldiers Took Woman’s Birthday Cake In 1945, 77 Years Later, They Replace It In A Heartwarming Ceremony

Meri Mion was only 13 years old when her birthday cake was taken from the windowsill where it had been cooling while she was forced to experience the horrors of war back in 1945. Her birthday cake has been mistakenly taken by the soldiers who had freed her hometown of San Pietro, Italy. That did help lessen the gravity of her disappointment that day.

And 77 years later, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy wanted to make it up to her. They wanted to replace the cake with a brand new one now that she’s celebrating her 90th birthday.

On the 28th of April, 1945, Mion and her mother were hiding from German soldiers in the attic of their farmhouse in Northern Italy. At least 19 soldiers were either killed or injured at this time. The U.S. Army’s website reports: “Infantry Division Soldiers battled German defenders. Several U.S. tanks were destroyed and at least 19 U.S. Soldiers were killed or wounded. Other Americans, from the 91st Infantry Division, drove north from the Riviera Berica into the city. Later, they paraded through Corso Palladio, Vicenza’s famous thoroughfare, where Italians offered them bread and wine.”

When World War II was finally declared over on September 2, 1945, Mion was 13 years old. This was exactly four months and five days after her 13th birthday.

When she finally got out from hiding the following day, her mother had already prepared a birthday cake for her daughter, who was turning 13 years old and had set it on the ledge to cool off. It was probably mistaken for an offering when the soldiers grabbed Mion’s birthday cake before she even got to enjoy it.

Col. Matthew Gomlak, the commander of the U.S. Army Garrison Italy, according to FOX News, said, “Her happiness turned into disappointment.”

And in celebration of her 90th birthday and the 77th anniversary of the U.S. ‘s victory, the 88th Infantry Division gathered nearby at Giardini Salvi, a garden in Vicenza, to celebrate. Gomlak said, “That warm welcome by the people of Vicenza continues to this day.”

The Washington Post reported that Gomlak and Sgt. Peter Wallis presented Mion with a new cake that read “Buon 90 compleanno.” Wallis said, “It was a little awkward, but it makes me feel great to give her the cake.”

It was a special cake indeed. It was a large white cake that was topped with a chocolate shell filled with fruit and mini meringue cookies.

They sang “Happy Birthday” to Mion in both Italian and English after they had presented the cake to her, which made her really emotional and she even shed a tear. She said, “Tomorrow, we will eat that dessert with all my family remembering this wonderful day that I will never forget.” Eighty years was definitely a long time to wait but it definitely looks like it was worth it.

As part of the celebration for Mion’s birthday, the military was joined by hundreds of people, including members of the local community, soldiers, military police, and veterans. It is uncertain how the military learned that Mion did not receive her cake 77 years ago, nonetheless, everyone who was present at Giardini Salvi on that particular day was delighted that they did present her this surprise.