Sunday, May 4, 2014

Richard Overton, The Celebrated Veteran

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.

This figure has served in the US military from 1942 to 1945, a period characterized by the horrors of world war 11.Richard attests to having seen many of his comrades fall in battle during his service. He describes the battle as a place where no one would want to be in. He vividly recalls their joy when coming back home from the battlefield and how difficult it was when it was finally time to go back. He describes the military as a place where one has to fully commit himself, both physically and mentally.However, Veteran has absolutely no regrets for joining the military.

Overton has lately been occupied traversing the country. His travels have led to him meeting great and powerful men and women. His dream was fulfilled when he was hosted in the white house by the president of the United States Barrack Obama during the Veterans Day. The president took the opportunity to personally thank the Veteran for his contribution to his country. The president further alluded to the many experiences Overton had gone through in the course of his work, including the attack on the Pearl Harbor.

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.

He gained public attention in an interview on how he would spend his memorial day. The centenarian said he would prefer to smoke cigars and drink whisky which is stiffened with coffee during this special day. He however remains awake to the fact that there are lots of people who would want to do something for him on this day but maintains he would love it this way. Overton took a job in a furniture selling business in Texas before shifting gears to be a state employee in the department of treasury in Texas.

His service to his country was recognized by the mayor of Austin who described him as an extraordinary man.Overton took the opportunity to advise the young generation to become active in different physical activities instead of spending all their time watching.Together with his fellow veterans Overton has had an opportunity to tour the memorial of Martin Luther King. This visit was sponsored by Honour Flight. This is an organization that has and continues to facilitate the visits of veterans to different memorials as a way appreciating their significant contribution to society.

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.




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