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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The nation’s oldest World War II veteran is visiting the city of Memphis.

At 111 years old, this is Richard Overton’s first visit to the Bluff City and it’s not without great fanfare.

He was greeted at Memphis International Airport with a water cannon salute from the Memphis Fire Department and a color guard before being escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders to the Peabody Hotel.

On Friday, Overton is scheduled to serve as the Honorary Duckmaster before heading to a special ceremony in Overton Park.

Senators Lee Harris and Mark Norris are expected to attend the event along with former Mayor A C Wharton.

The visit comes after Overton expressed a desire to visit the Volunteer State last year.

“I’ve been a lot of places, seen and done a lot, but I’ve never been to Tennessee,” he told filmmaker Genene Walker.

It’s an honor for both the city and state to host the Army veteran who enlisted back in 1940 and served our country in the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion and as an expert marksman in the South Pacific.

By the time he left five years later, Mr. Overton had achieved the rank of Corporal and was awarded several commendations.