By Eloise Hewitt
Richard was born in 1906 and is the oldest surviving world war 11 veteran and centenarian.After departure from service in the military, Richard Overton established a home in Texas where he has lived since then.
The centenarian remembers the horrors of the war that include seeing his comrades fall in battle. Richard reveals that the horrors of the war remain permanently imprinted in his brain. The veteran also confesses their great joy when they came home temporarily and the difficulty of going back to the battle field. He says it took great courage and sacrifice on their part. However, he is still glad that he joined the military.
The centenarian remembers the horrors of the war that include seeing his comrades fall in battle. Richard reveals that the horrors of the war remain permanently imprinted in his brain. The veteran also confesses their great joy when they came home temporarily and the difficulty of going back to the battle field. He says it took great courage and sacrifice on their part. However, he is still glad that he joined the military.
Overton has had a busy time making appearances across the country especially during the veterans memorial day. He has met very high profile figures. Among them was president Obama during an official tour into the white house. The president deeply thanked and praised him for his role in the world war 11.He has also had an opportunity to meet the governor of Texas.
Uncertainty however has rocked his role in the Pearl Harbor attack. Evidence that he was present during the attack still remains scanty. However information from the president and the US today suggest that Overton was present during the attack on the Harbor.
The veteran came to public limelight when he announced in an interview that he would prefer to spend his memorial smoking and drinking whisky that has been stiffened with coffee. He still appreciates that people would love to do something for him on this day but is categorical that how he would love to spend it. After leaving his job at the military, Richard worked in a furniture shop before joining the state department of treasury.
Despite his old age, Richard did not lack advice for the young people during award section in recognition of his service by Austin mayor. The centenarian advises that they should not spend virtually all their time sitting glued to the television but rather get moving. Austin mayor praised him as an extraordinary gentleman.
Honor Flight, an organization that sponsors the trips by
Uncertainty however has rocked his role in the Pearl Harbor attack. Evidence that he was present during the attack still remains scanty. However information from the president and the US today suggest that Overton was present during the attack on the Harbor.
The veteran came to public limelight when he announced in an interview that he would prefer to spend his memorial smoking and drinking whisky that has been stiffened with coffee. He still appreciates that people would love to do something for him on this day but is categorical that how he would love to spend it. After leaving his job at the military, Richard worked in a furniture shop before joining the state department of treasury.
Despite his old age, Richard did not lack advice for the young people during award section in recognition of his service by Austin mayor. The centenarian advises that they should not spend virtually all their time sitting glued to the television but rather get moving. Austin mayor praised him as an extraordinary gentleman.
Honor Flight, an organization that sponsors the trips by
The veteran came to public limelight when he announced in an interview that he would prefer to spend his memorial smoking and drinking whisky that has been stiffened with coffee. He still appreciates that people would love to do something for him on this day but is categorical that how he would love to spend it. After leaving his job at the military, Richard worked in a furniture shop before joining the state department of treasury.
Despite his old age, Richard did not lack advice for the young people during award section in recognition of his service by Austin mayor. The centenarian advises that they should not spend virtually all their time sitting glued to the television but rather get moving. Austin mayor praised him as an extraordinary gentleman.
Honor Flight, an organization that sponsors the trips by veterans to memorials, sponsored the transport of the centenarian in company of other veterans to the memorial of Martin Luther King as a way of appreciating the contribution of these great men and women.
This memorial is however not going to be business as usual for this centenarian . All the friends his friends especially those from his platoon have passed on. The veteran admits that this for a number of times been a source of loneliness since he lacks a person he can talk to like he was used to with them. Richard has had two wives the last one having passed on twenty two years ago and has no children.
Despite his old age, Richard did not lack advice for the young people during award section in recognition of his service by Austin mayor. The centenarian advises that they should not spend virtually all their time sitting glued to the television but rather get moving. Austin mayor praised him as an extraordinary gentleman.
Honor Flight, an organization that sponsors the trips by veterans to memorials, sponsored the transport of the centenarian in company of other veterans to the memorial of Martin Luther King as a way of appreciating the contribution of these great men and women.
This memorial is however not going to be business as usual for this centenarian . All the friends his friends especially those from his platoon have passed on. The veteran admits that this for a number of times been a source of loneliness since he lacks a person he can talk to like he was used to with them. Richard has had two wives the last one having passed on twenty two years ago and has no children.