God Bless him! Well, looks like he already has.
Might start a fire later today so I can live a little longer.
"Richard Overton, the grandson of a slave, worked in a furniture store and as a courier for decades until he finally retired when he was 85. That was more than 25 years ago.
Now, Overton — the country’s oldest World War II veteran — has been enjoying a bit of fame for his longevity, and has a regular stream of visitors to his home in Austin.
Last week, he mentioned to one of his visitors that he’d like to someday see the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the District.
The following morning, Overton and a few friends were on a private jet heading toward the nation’s capital. They got a private tour of the museum before it opened to the public Sunday morning.
It was one in a line of stunning and unlikely happenings for Overton, who is believed to be the oldest man in America and the third-oldest man in the world. His 112th birthday is next month. His secret to a long life includes cigars, whiskey and speaking his mind.
“I enjoyed every bit of the tour,” Overton said at the museum as he was lunching on soul food.
Then he added, “I didn’t see my name up there,” referring to the World War II exhibit.
His friends chuckled.
“One of these days it will be,” he assured them.
The whirlwind tour was put in motion after one of Overton’s friends, Allen Bergeron, introduced him to billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Smith, who donated $20 million to the museum. Bergeron knows both men through his work with the Austin Military Veterans Program.
Bergeron said he has been trying to introduce the two men for years. Smith’s father and grandfather served in the military, and Overton served as a sharpshooter in Pearl Harbor and Okinawa.
On Friday, he was finally able to bring Smith to Overton’s house for a visit.
The two men talked for two hours and ate fried catfish. That was when Overton said he’d like to see the museum. Smith replied, “What are you all doing this weekend?” according to Bergeron.
It was settled..."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news..._term=.73c9a14a5341&wpisrc=nl_optimist&wpmm=1
Might start a fire later today so I can live a little longer.
"Richard Overton, the grandson of a slave, worked in a furniture store and as a courier for decades until he finally retired when he was 85. That was more than 25 years ago.
Now, Overton — the country’s oldest World War II veteran — has been enjoying a bit of fame for his longevity, and has a regular stream of visitors to his home in Austin.
Last week, he mentioned to one of his visitors that he’d like to someday see the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the District.
The following morning, Overton and a few friends were on a private jet heading toward the nation’s capital. They got a private tour of the museum before it opened to the public Sunday morning.
It was one in a line of stunning and unlikely happenings for Overton, who is believed to be the oldest man in America and the third-oldest man in the world. His 112th birthday is next month. His secret to a long life includes cigars, whiskey and speaking his mind.
“I enjoyed every bit of the tour,” Overton said at the museum as he was lunching on soul food.
Then he added, “I didn’t see my name up there,” referring to the World War II exhibit.
His friends chuckled.
“One of these days it will be,” he assured them.
The whirlwind tour was put in motion after one of Overton’s friends, Allen Bergeron, introduced him to billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Smith, who donated $20 million to the museum. Bergeron knows both men through his work with the Austin Military Veterans Program.
Bergeron said he has been trying to introduce the two men for years. Smith’s father and grandfather served in the military, and Overton served as a sharpshooter in Pearl Harbor and Okinawa.
On Friday, he was finally able to bring Smith to Overton’s house for a visit.
The two men talked for two hours and ate fried catfish. That was when Overton said he’d like to see the museum. Smith replied, “What are you all doing this weekend?” according to Bergeron.
It was settled..."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news..._term=.73c9a14a5341&wpisrc=nl_optimist&wpmm=1
