'Mighty fine at 109': America's oldest vet marks birthday with cigar
'Mighty fine at 109': America's oldest vet marks birthday with cigar
World War II veteran Richard Overton, left, is seen in his Army uniform in an undated photograph provided by the City of Austin. At right, Overton outside his Texas home. (AP/Austin American Statesman)
Richard Overton feels a "little stiff" from time to time and he's cut out the whiskey but other than that, he feels pretty good.
Not bad for America's oldest living military veteran, who turned 109 on Monday.
I get around pretty good, just get a little stiff. I'm doing all right, I guess," Overton told FoxNews.com, as he waited at his Austin, Texas, home for a car to pick him up to take him to meet Gov. Greg Abbott.
Im the only one that can tell the tale now."
- Richard Overton, America's oldest veteran
"Gonna go see the governor," he added. "He wants to talk to me."
The World War II veteran's friends and family tossed a birthday party for him last week, with as many as 100 people in attendance. NeighborHelen Elliot organized and hosted the party, which was sponsored by Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries and Shakes. The theme for the day was "Mighty Fine at 109."
Hes just the coolest neighbor on the planet, Elliot told Fox affiliate KTBC . Hes so much fun and always has the best stories.
Overton served from 1942-45, with stops in Hawaii, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima while attaining the rank of sergeant. He saw many of his Army buddies die serving their country, and the rest have passed away since the war ended. He said he misses the soldiers who served with him in the all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion, and would love to reminisce with them.
Im the only one that can tell the tale now," he said. "All the other boys are gone.
Born on May, 11, 1906, in Texas Bastrop County, Overton worked in the furniture business and then with the Texas Treasury Department in Austin after he got out of the Army. He married twice but never fathered any children and still attends church every Sunday.
Richard Overton, the oldest living WWII veteran, listens during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., in 2013. (AP)
I got good health and I dont take any medicine, he told FoxNews.com in 2013. I also stay busy around the yards, I trim trees, help with the horses. The driveways get dirty, so I clean them. I do something to keep myself moving. I dont watch television.
Overton lights up a dozen cigars a day, but he's stopped taking a shot of whiskey in his morning coffee.
"Don't drink that whiskey any more," he said.
He met President Obama in 2013, at an event at Arlington National Cemetery, where the president singled out Overton during his remarks.
When the war ended, Richard headed home to Texas to a nation bitterly divided by race, Obama said at the time. And his service on the battlefield was not always matched by the respect that he deserved at home. But this veteran held his head high. He carried on and lived his life with honor and dignity.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/05/26/mighty-fine-at-10-america-oldest-vet-marks-birthday-with-cigar/?intcmp=latestnews
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Bravo Richard !! May the rest of your days be filled with happiness....
I salute you Richard. May your days be filled joy and a good cigar.
A salute, a hearty handshake and profound gratitude to Robert!
He's quite a guy!!
And well deserved!!
I would sure like to see more comments on the article. Richard deserves them.
Congrats to a real American hero!
He sure does Kav!!
Yes, he's quite a guy!!
Was going to say with genes like his, that was a pity. I didn't think of that....thanks Feronia!