Sunday, April 27, 2014

Richard Overton, The Celebrated Veteran

By Eloise Hewitt


The veteran is one of the few living individuals that took part in the Second World War.Richard Overton was born in 1906 in Texas, a place he has lived many years after he left the military.

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 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.

However, it still remains controversial whether the centenarian was present during the attack on the Pearl Harbor. A statement by Obama suggests he saw all the action at the Pearl Harbor. However records of this remain scanty.

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.

Surprisingly, despite being one hundred and seven years, Mr. Richard can drive and comfortably walk around. In fact he generally appears healthy. This longevity, he says, is out of ensuring physical fitness and also taking whiskey.

But this memorial will not be like the rest for him, His only friend and member of his platoon has passed on. This centenarian wishes that at least one member of his platoon was still alive. It is for this reason, even as he celebrates his 107th birthday, that Overton a times feels so lonely. Richard has been married twice and has had no children. He has been a widower for the last twenty two years.




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