Two Texas Veterans, Both Age 107, Meet for First Time

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – A 107-year-old World War II veteran was so shocked to meet a fellow veteran even older than him that he joked about having his birthday changed. Both men are from Texas and met in Austin. After seeing Richard Overton, Elmer Hill (pictured) exclaimed, “Well, I better move mine up a little bit!” Overton lives in Austin and is three months older than Hill, from Henderson. Both fought in the Pacific during World War II, but hadn’t met until Friday. The pair was all smiles as they warmly shook hands. Except for the horde of reporters nearby, they then enjoyed a quiet lunch. Overton was recently honored by President Barack Obama, and there are plans to also honor Hill in Washington. By some accounts, they are the oldest and second-oldest known veterans in the country.