0:50
- ABC News
- May 12, 2017
Texan Richard Overton, the oldest US WWII vet, turns 111
Austin's mayor declared May 11 as Richard Overton Day.
0:50
Proclamation from @MayorAdler for Overton @KVUE pic.twitter.com/1KTXHhkyl4
— Christy Millweard (@ChristyM_KVUE) May 11, 2017
\"Celebrating Richard Overton's 111th birthday is a chance to celebrate what is best about our country and our community,\" Adler tweeted. \"Happy birthday!\"
Celebrating Richard Overton's 111th birthday is a chance to celebrate what is best about our country and our community. Happy birthday! ???? pic.twitter.com/TlfmGqhDBG
— Mayor Adler (@MayorAdler) May 11, 2017
At the birthday lunch, catfish was served, and a birthday cake which read \"Happy 111th Birthday Pop!\" was presented. Overton also received many gifts, including an autographed University of Texas football.
Happy 111th Birthday Richard Overton!! @KVUE pic.twitter.com/j21VQxKiyV
— Christy Millweard (@ChristyM_KVUE) May 11, 2017
Group sings \"Happy Birthday\" to Overton @KVUE pic.twitter.com/5syTyylaMG
— Christy Millweard (@ChristyM_KVUE) May 11, 2017
Adler declared May 11 as Richard Overton Day, and announced that he was temporarily renaming Hamilton Avenue, the street Overton lives on, to Richard Overton Avenue.
And we've temporarily renamed the street he lives on Richard Overton Avenue. pic.twitter.com/jx93FFi6R2
— Mayor Adler (@MayorAdler) May 11, 2017
As ABC News reported in January, there was a possibility that Overton would be forced to leave his home for an assisted living facility. That prompted Volma Overton Jr., the veteran's third cousin, to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for around-the-clock in-home care. Enough money was raised to keep Overton in his home.
“We all knew that if you move Richard out of his home, he’d die,\" Overton Jr said at the time. \"That home is everything for him.\"
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