WWII Veteran Who Drinks Whiskey And Smokes Cigars Turning 109

BlutarskyTFM10 years ago

Living past 100 is pretty incredible, but doing it on your own terms is downright admirable. Richard Overton, a WWII veteran, is doing just that. On May 11, he’ll be turning 109 years old, making him one of the oldest living veterans of the Second World War.

Overton is no ordinary man, though. As I said, he lives on his own terms. He still drives, he still does his own yard work, and he still enjoys whiskey and cigars on a more than occasional basis.

Though he now lives in Austin, Texas, Overton has spent plenty of time elsewhere. In World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945. Over the years, he’s worked a variety of jobs and met numerous dignitaries, from governors of Texas to the President of the United States. In fact, in 2013, Rick Perry even stopped by Overton’s house to talk with him and gift him a bottle of whiskey.

This is not the first time that Mr. Overton has made the news because of his birthday. His life and longevity have been covered before, on previous birthdays. Aside from being remarkable, his life and the way he lives make for a great story. A man in his hundreds who still sits on his front porch, does yard work, sweeps the driveway, and smokes a cigar is just plain cool.

When you think about it, Overton and his life in general are amazing. Consider everything he’s seen in his lifetime: the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, women’s suffrage, Prohibition (and its triumphant repeal), the Great Depression, World War II, The Cold War, every event mentioned in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and more.

Adding a splash of whiskey to his coffee in the morning or pouring a bit into a glass of 7-Up at night to “sleep good,” Overton keeps on keeping on. Here’s hoping he does for years to come..

[via Wall Street Journal]

Image via YouTube