Meet Richard Overton, America’s oldest veteran. In this lively short film by Matt Cooper and Rocky Conly you will see – Age is just a number and not a barrier for a happy life. If one has the courage and determination like Richard Arvin Overton, the oldest verified surviving American veteran, nothing is impossible. Mr. Overton could walk, talk, more than that he could still drive a car even in his final years of life before he took his last breaths at the age of 112 years in 2018. He was one of the most inspirational personalities ever known. Further, as we go ahead, we will discuss about his secrets to life which will definitely make you smile.
Even at the age of 109 years, he got his driving license renewed which even included an eye test. Such was the courage and determination of this motivational personality. Mr. Overton was the oldest World War II veteran and served in the US Army as a soldier from 1940 to 1945. His tenure in the army made him so strong that he could sleep with all doors open without getting tensed. He always believed in living in the present and not getting worried about the future. He always said that God will keep you alive till he wants to and the bullet won’t touch your body until he wishes.
Mr. Overton used to buy one thing and make optimum utilization of that particular thing by ensuring its maintenance. He never wasted resources or fooled with a credit card. 12 cigars a day, that was the daily intake of Mr. Overton, sometimes even more, but he would never inhale the smoke. He believed in doing it the healthy way. Getting up at 3 in the morning and having a cup of coffee was his daily schedule. Milk, fish, corn, and soup were a part of his favourite daily intake along with a scoop of ice-cream every night.
In his life, he tried his hands on several types of jobs and always considered each of them equal. He worked in a furniture shop, picked cottons, and even worked in the department of treasury. He believed in learning something everywhere. He used to visit Church quite often and believed it to be the best place to learn compassion, how to treat people, and live a better life. According, there isn’t any answer which you cannot find at a church if you have the conviction to find one.
Having a spiritual life is good, but living that life is much more important. Mr. Overton was a simple man who lived within his means and lived a happy life always. Never did he regret about anything, nor did he abandon any of his desires with respect to food or lifestyle. He would all his household chores himself and always made efforts to keep his body fit and active. He never let himself suffer and always stayed happy for having lived a satisfactory life in all ways. He always said that no one ones when one will die, so one should always try to be happy and never give up on life.
