109-Year-Old Veteran and His Secrets to Life Will Make You Smile | Short Film Showcase

National Geographic

5 Feb 201712:39

Summary

TLDRRichard Overton, a 109-year-old World War II veteran, shares his remarkable life story and secrets to longevity. He talks about his independence, driving habits, and his belief in God's protection during war. Overton emphasizes the importance of living a simple life, paying in cash, and enjoying the small pleasures like cigars, coffee, and ice cream. He also highlights the role of church, community, and companionship in his life, and his unwavering determination to keep living despite his age.

Takeaways

😇 Richard Ain Overton, at 109 years old, is still independent and capable of walking, talking, and driving.
🎖️ Richard is the oldest living war veteran, having joined the Army in 1940, and he attributes his bravery and strength to his military service.
🚗 He prefers to drive himself because he finds other drivers to be reckless.
🏠 Richard built his own house in 1945 and has lived there ever since, expressing satisfaction with his living situation.
💰 He avoids credit cards and insists on paying cash for everything, having lived through times when money was scarce.
🚗 His first car was an old Ford, which he fondly remembers as a significant achievement during a time when cars were a novelty.
🚬 Richard smokes cigars, sometimes up to 12 a day, and mentions that it makes him feel better, although he doesn't inhale.
🐱 He has cats that he takes care of, and they bring him happiness and companionship.
🍲 Richard's dietary preferences include milk, fish, corn, and soup, and he enjoys ice cream every night.
🍻 In the morning, he drinks coffee and sometimes whiskey, indicating a preference for starting the day with a kick.
🕊️ Richard finds solace and strength in going to church, where he learns how to live better and treat people with kindness.
👵 He has a companion, a 91-year-old woman, with whom he shares activities and enjoys time together, emphasizing the importance of companionship in his life.

Q & A

Who is Richard Ain Overton and what is significant about his age?
-Richard Ain Overton is the oldest known living war veteran who, at the time of the transcript, is 109 years old.
What does Richard Ain Overton attribute his longevity to?
-Richard Ain Overton suggests that his longevity is due to God's will, as he mentions that God kept him here for a reason.
What is Richard's attitude towards his health and well-being?
-Richard appears to be in good health and is proud of his ability to still walk, talk, and drive at his age. He mentions passing a recent health test.
How does Richard Ain Overton describe his experience in the Army?
-Richard joined the Army in 1940 and describes it as making him braver and stronger. He emphasizes the determination of soldiers to face danger without retreating.
What is Richard's view on the inevitability of death and God's role in it?
-Richard believes that if it's one's time to go, death will come, but if it's not, God will protect them from harm, even in the face of danger.
What does Richard Ain Overton consider his secret to a long life?
-Richard's secret to a long life includes maintaining a positive outlook, enjoying simple pleasures like his cats, and not giving up.
What is Richard's daily routine like in terms of diet and habits?
-Richard enjoys drinking milk, eating ice cream every night, and having a cup of coffee in the morning. He also mentions smoking cigars.
How does Richard Ain Overton feel about his house that he built in 1945?
-Richard is very happy with his house, which he built in 1945, and considers it a nice place to live.
What is Richard's financial philosophy as mentioned in the transcript?
-Richard prefers to pay cash for everything he gets and does not use credit cards, reflecting a cautious and straightforward financial approach.
What role does the church play in Richard Ain Overton's life?
-The church is a significant part of Richard's life, providing a place for learning, singing, and feeling good, which he believes contributes to his longevity.
How does Richard Ain Overton describe his relationship with a 91-year-old woman mentioned in the script?
-Richard describes the woman as a nice person with whom he enjoys spending time, going to the hospital, grocery shopping, and church.

Outlines

00:00

🎂 Centenarian's Life Philosophy and Independence

Richard Overton, a 109-year-old war veteran, shares his thoughts on life and his belief that he was not kept alive for any particular reason. He emphasizes his independence, still driving and living in the house he built in 1945. Overton reflects on his time in the army, where he learned to be brave and strong, and his faith that God would protect him if it wasn't his time to go. He also discusses his simple lifestyle, preferring to pay cash for everything and not using credit cards.

05:00

🚬 Daily Habits and the Joy of Pets

The script delves into Richard Overton's daily routine, which includes smoking cigars and drinking coffee, sometimes mixed with whiskey. He expresses his love for his cats, who bring him happiness and companionship. Overton also shares his dietary preferences, such as milk, fish, corn, soup, and ice cream, which contribute to his contentment. He highlights the importance of church in his life, as a place of learning and spiritual nourishment, and mentions a significant person in his life, a 91-year-old woman with whom he shares activities and companionship.

10:04

💪 Resilience and the Secrets to a Long Life

Richard Overton conveys his resilience and determination, stating that he has never given up despite life's challenges. He offers what he considers to be the secrets to his long life, suggesting that one should never give up and maintain a positive outlook. Overton acknowledges the uncertainty of life and death, emphasizing that he continues to live fully, making the most of the time he has, without knowing when his time will come.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Survival

Survival in this context refers to the ability to continue living despite challenging circumstances or adversities. Richard Ain Overton, the subject of the video, has lived to an extraordinary age of 109 years, which is a testament to his survival skills and resilience. His survival is highlighted by his continued independence, such as driving and living in his own house since 1945.

💡War Veteran

A war veteran is someone who has served in the military and participated in a war. Richard Ain Overton is identified as the oldest war veteran in the video, having joined the Army in 1940. His experiences and the lessons he learned from his service, such as courage and determination, are integral to his life story and the video's narrative.

💡Independence

Independence here denotes the state of being self-sufficient and not relying on others for one's needs. Richard's ability to still walk, talk, and drive at 109 years old exemplifies his independence. He values the freedom to do things by himself, such as driving, which he prefers over being driven by others.

💡Longevity

Longevity is the state of living a long life. Richard Ain Overton's age of 109 years is a central theme of the video, showcasing his exceptional longevity. His life story provides insights into what it means to live a long and fulfilling life.

💡Faith

Faith in the video is depicted as a belief in a higher power, specifically God, who Richard believes has a plan for his life. He mentions that if it's one's time to go, then it will happen, but if not, God will protect them. This faith is a key aspect of his outlook on life and possibly a factor in his longevity.

💡Happiness

Happiness in this context is a state of well-being and contentment. Richard finds joy in simple things such as having his cats around, enjoying his morning coffee, and eating ice cream every night. His happiness is a recurring theme in the video, illustrating the importance of finding joy in everyday life.

💡Health

Health is the state of being free from illness or injury. Richard's health is implied to be good as he mentions passing all tests given to him and feeling good. His health is a significant aspect of his story, as it contributes to his ability to maintain an independent lifestyle.

💡Simplicity

Simplicity refers to the quality of being easy to understand or do, and not complicated. Richard's lifestyle is characterized by simplicity, as he prefers to pay cash for everything and does not use credit cards. His approach to life exemplifies the value of living a simple and uncomplicated life.

💡Community

Community in the video represents the social fabric and support that Richard receives from being part of a group. He mentions going to church, which is a place where he feels supported and learns valuable life lessons. The sense of community is vital for his well-being and social interaction.

💡Legacy

Legacy is the lasting impact or influence someone has after their lifetime. Richard's life as the oldest war veteran and his experiences serve as a legacy, providing wisdom and perspective to others. His story is a legacy of resilience, independence, and a long life well-lived.

💡Contentment

Contentment is the state of being satisfied with one's life and circumstances. Richard expresses contentment with his life, despite the challenges he has faced. His contentment is evident in his enjoyment of simple pleasures and his positive outlook on life.

Highlights

Richard Ain Overton, at 109 years old, still walks, talks, and drives.

Overton passed all health tests, feeling good about his physical condition.

He emphasizes the importance of self-driving due to others driving 'crazy'.

Overton is the oldest living war veteran, having joined the Army in 1940.

His philosophy on being a soldier: facing danger without turning back, trusting in divine protection.

Overton built his own house in 1945 and has lived there ever since, appreciating its comfort.

He prefers to pay cash for everything, avoiding credit cards.

Overton reminisces about the past, when everything cost nickels and dimes, and earning 50 cents a day.

His first car was an old Ford, with a front crank, reflecting the simplicity of early automobiles.

Overton smokes 12 cigars a day, attributing the habit to personal preference and comfort.

He enjoys the company of his cats, who bring him happiness and a routine.

Overton's daily routine includes drinking coffee and whiskey, and having a love for milk, fish, corn, and soup.

He emphasizes the importance of church, stating it as a source of guidance and learning.

Overton shares his secret to a long life, including not giving up and maintaining a positive outlook.

He enjoys spending time with a 91-year-old friend, highlighting the joy of companionship.

Overton reflects on his life, expressing contentment and a lack of suffering.

His outlook on life includes not knowing when his time will come, but continuing to live fully.