Video: Oldest US WWII Veteran At 109 Downs Whiskey And 12 Cigars A Day

By R. Siva Kumar - 14 May '15 19:59PM

Outliving his neighbours, friends, relatives and army mates at 109 years is just one of the records that Richard Overton holds. Another is that of beating the years by smoking 12 cigars a day

This Army veteran of World War II lives in Austin, Texas and downs his whisky regularly, according to yahoo. "I may drink a little in the evening too with some soda water, but that's it," Overton said. "Whiskey's a good medicine. It keeps your muscles tender."

On May 3, his Austin town held an early birthday party for him, offering burgers, milkshakes---and cigars!

The governor honored Overton on Monday, May 12, his real birthday, with a cake and a song at his mansion. Governor Abbott and the First Lady sang happy birthday on Monday afternoon, according to myfoxaustin. He was born in Bastrop County on May 11th in 1906.

"I smoke at least 12 Tampa Sweet cigars a day," Overton said. "I've been smoking cigars since I was 18 years old," he added. "I have over $100 worth of cigars now."

The "Mighty Fine at 109"-themed celebration had a lot of awed gawkers and friends, including the mayor of Austin, Steve Adler.

"You are just one of the treasures that we have in this city," Adler told Overton during the celebrations.

Overton is thought to be the oldest veteran, although he might have some competitors who are not registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Having served in the South Pacific during the war, Richard began to sell furniture in Austin once he got discharged and later worked in the state Treasurer's Office.

"I've gotten so many letters and so many thank yous and I enjoy every bit of it, but I'm still going to enjoy some more," Overton said.

The Houston Chronicle described Overton's lifestyle in November 2013: "He drives and walks without a cane. During a television interview in March, he told a reporter that he doesn't take medicine, smokes cigars every day and takes whiskey in his morning coffee. The key to living to his age, he said, is simply 'staying out of trouble.'"

However, he is not too sure why he lives for so long. "You have to ask God about that. He brought me here and he's taking care of me, and nothing I can do about it," shrugged Overton .

Some ideas are thrown around, though.

"Whiskey and cigars and never stop moving," said a neighbor.

He is said to be busy as a bee all day - trimming trees, helping with horses, and never watching television.