Richard Overton is America's oldest veteran. At the age of nearly 109 (his birthday is May 11) the Wall Street Journal reports he still mows his lawn and drives his car, even taking widows to church on Sunday.

The World War II veteran and Texas resident throws a party in his yard each year for his birthday, but this time a neighbor held a celebration complete with burgers, fries, and shakes. The Washington Post says Overton is a fan of cigars and whiskey, although he partakes of the latter only occasionally now.

His life story is pretty amazing:

Overton, born in 1906 in Texas, served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945 as part of the all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion.

Upon returning from the war, he worked at an Austin furniture store. He told the Statesman that he first retired at age 65, but that he kept being asked to come back and was hired four more times. “I got near 100 and finally quit,” he said. “They still wanted me back.”

Here's a little bit more on the man:

 

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