Richard Arvine Overton, who saw many of his fellow soldiers die in battle, and others in the ensuing decades, celebrated his 107th Memorial Day on Friday, as reported by Fox News.
So what did he tell news reporters as to how he would spend the day?
"I don't know, some people might do something for me, but I'll be glad just to sit down and rest," he said, adding, "I'm no young no more."
Overton was born on May 11, 1906 in Bastrop County, Texas. He traveled to Washington D.C. on May 17 as part of Honor Flight, a nonprofit group that transports veterans free of charge to memorials dedicated to their service, Fox News reported.
It represented his first trip to D.C.
"I was really honored when I got there. There were so many people, it was up in the thousands. And we danced and we jumped... them people tickled me to death. It made me happy as can be," Overton said of his visit to the World War II Memorial. "At my age and my strength, I'm able to stand up and do anything. My mind is good so I'm able to do what I want."
Overton's secrets may be unorthodox, he still drinks occasional whiskey, but approaching supercentenarian status, an individual aged 110 or older, is pretty remarkable. There are believed to be just 57 people worldwide who are 110 or older, including 114-year-old Jeralean Talley, of Inkster, Michigan. She is the oldest person in the United States according to the Gerontology Research Group. Talley celebrated her 114th birthday on Thursday.
"I've spoken with Mr. Overton on a few different occasions, and admire his spirit for life and his country," Austin Mayor Leffingwell said in statement. "He is truly one of our unsung heroes and we are privileged that he calls Austin his home."
A couple of days before this year's Memorial Day Overton told Fox News he intended to relive war stories with his fellow veterans
"I know I had someone from my platoon until recently, but he passed so now I don't have anyone that I know," Overton said. "So I feel lonesome by myself sometimes. I would love to ask some of them some questions, but nobody is here. Everybody's passed."
