Richard Overton, the grandson of a slave, is believed to be the oldest man in America and the third-oldest man in the world. At 111 — he turns 112 next month — Overton is also the country’s oldest World War II veteran and has been enjoying a bit of fame for his longevity, writes The Washington Post. He has visitors come to his house in Austin, and it was during one of those visits where he said he’d like someday to see the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The next morning, Overton and a few friends were making their way down to D.C. on a private jet. They were able to enter the museum and get a private tour before it opened to the public Sunday morning.
This whirlwind tour happened because one of Overton’s friends, Allen Bergeron, introduced Overton to billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Smith, who donated $20 million to the museum. Bergeron knows both Overton and Smith because of his work with the Military Veterans Program and he has been trying to introduce the two for years. According to The Post, Smith’s father and grandfather served in the military, and Overton was a sharpshooter in Pearl Harbor and Okinawa. Smith was finally able to meet Overton, and that is when Overton said he would like to see the museum. Smith responded, “What are you all doing this weekend?” On the tour, retired four-star general and former secretary of state Colin L. Powell, who is on the museum board, called Overton to welcome him to D.C. Overton has also been to the White House and has met former President Barack Obama.
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