Nation's oldest veteran Richard Overton turns 112

Beloved Austinite, Richard Overton, turned 112 this week.

He's long been the oldest living veteran in the country.      

Now, he's believed to be the oldest man in America.

It's become tradition to celebration Mr. Overton's birthday in his front yard.

Hundreds of people want to meet him, shake his hand and thank him for his service.  

Overton was born in Bastrop County in 1906.  He spent 3 years in the Army during World War II and later spent many years working for Governor Ann Richards.

Since that "oldest veteran" distinction came around, Mr. Overton has broken bread with a few more Governors -- as well as a Commander-In-Chief...President Obama honored him in DC in front of thousands one year.

Friday afternoon, Austin Mayor Steve Adler delivered a proclamation declaring May 11th "Richard Overton Day" and just chatted with him a little bit.

The Mayor brought him a bottle of Overton's favorite whiskey.

"Today I got to bring him a little present, a gift that he called 'medicine' which I'm willing to buy.  On a street that we have named after him in this city.  I just think that he's just a treasure," Adler said.  

On Thursday Overton talked a little bit about his love for whiskey.

"All my life, ever since I was 18 years old.  It don't hurt you if you know how to drink it...don't get drunk every thirty minutes," Overton joked.

Mr. Overton often gets asked the same question: "what is your secret to living so long?"  

Is it the cigars?  The whiskey?

And he always answers it the same way: you'll have to "ask God" about that.