Nation's oldest Veteran, Richard Overton, in Austin hospital

AUSTIN, Texas— On Veterans Day, 109-year-old Richard Overton was scheduled to appear at Austin Community College to be honored for his service.

He's known as the nation's oldest living combat veteran, but Overton had to cancel.

According to his family, he was taken to the hospital on Tuesday with Pneumonia.  He's in ICU.  The hospital where he's staying said he's in fair condition.

Most of his 109 years have been spent on the porch of an East Austin home he bought in 1945 for a steep $4,000.

"I think I'll live in it until I die, I got nowhere else to go," Overton joked with FOX 7 in a previous story.

Even in his old age, Overton is still seen driving his truck and working in his yard. He gives credit to God for his longevity -- but he's got a few tricks up his sleeve, too.

"I've been smoking cigars from when I was 18 years old, I'm still a smoking them, 12 a day," Overton joked in 2014.

During World War II, he spent three years in the army...stopping in Hawaii before serving in the South Pacific.

In recent years, the distinction of being the nation's oldest veteran brought quite a few people to his front porch.

"They want to know anything, they can ask me questions and I can tell them what I know and what I did do.  Then, what I didn't do, I didn't know anything about that.  We didn't run, I know that," Overton said in 2013.

One person that graced that porch of his: former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Memorial Day of 2013. And on Veterans Day of that year, President Obama honored Overton in front of thousands in D.C.

"His service on the battlefield was not always matched by the respect that he deserved at home.  But this veteran held his head high," Obama said.

Overton was humble about meeting the leader of the free world.

"Well he's another person just like us," he said.

In December of 2014, another high honor for Overton.  He took the stage at Austin Community College's Fall commencement. Overton was honored for his service and given an honorary associates.

"I enjoyed it.  I hope they keep it up.  Get some more, not only me, get somebody else, too.  Can't find nobody as old as I am," he joked.

This past summer, for his 109th birthday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his wife invited him to the Governor's mansion for cake and a little singing. And of course, he had to celebrate in his East Austin neighborhood as well... surrounded by family, friends and admirers of this American hero.

"This is a long trip and it ain't through yet," Overton said.

During his stay at the hospital, Overton's family is asking for prayers.