America's oldest veteran, who famously drinks whiskey and smokes cigars everyday, is asking for your help
US Army/Sgt. 1st Class Brian Hamilton
Army veteran Richard Overton is now in need of 24-hour home care that the Department of Veterans Affairs doesn't provide. So his family started a GoFundMe campaign late last month to cover the cost of in-home care, which is being provided by Senior Helpers.
"Though my cousin is still sharp as a tack at 110-years-old, it's been getting harder and harder for him to care for himself," Volma Overton said in a statement. "It eases my mind to know he will have 24/7 care while living in the home he built for himself over 70 years ago."
Overton gained notoriety back in 2013 after he told a reporter about his key to staying active and remaining in good health: Whiskey and cigars.
"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 Houston Chronicle wrote in 2013. "The key to living to his age, he said, is simply 'staying out of trouble.'"
"I may drink a little in the evening too with some soda water, but that's it," Overton told Fox News. "Whiskey's a good medicine. It keeps your muscles tender."
In addition to his somewhat unorthodox habits, Overton said he stayed busy throughout the day by trimming trees and helping with horses, while noting that he never watches television, according to Fox.
Born May 11, 1906, he is believed to be the oldest living veteran in the US. He served in the South Pacific during World War II before selling furniture in Austin after discharge and later working in the state Treasurer's Office.
As the campaign page notes, Overton has earned a number of accolades since he first hit the headlines. He met with President Obama in 2013, and in the years since, he's appeared as the guest of honor at sporting events and has been featured as "America's Oldest Cigar Smoker" in Cigar Aficionado magazine.
You can check out the GoFundMe campaign page here.
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