With a little more than nine months left in office, President Barack Obama is making every day count, and still taking time to shake hands and meet Americans across the country. While in Indiana over the weekend, Obama met 108-year-old Lester Townsend, the grandson of a former slave.
The brief meeting was further accented by the fact that Townsend–who the president joked was lying about his age–had never met a sitting president in his life.
“What are you eating?” Obama asked wondering what’s the secret to his agile demeanor. Townsend, proving the elderly hold nothing back replied “Whatever they bring me,” which made the president keel over in laughter.
Townsend was overcome with emotion while speaking with Obama, and was in awe that at the ripe age of 108, he met America’s first African-American president.
“The grandson of a slave shaking hands with the president of the United States,” Lester Townsend said.
Townsend isn’t the first centenarian that’s shaken hands with the leader of the free world. Back in February, 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin (who’s now 107) danced into the arms of both Barack and Michelle at the White House as the bubbly D.C. native couldn’t contain herself during the meet-n-greet. Since then, McLaurin has become a celebrity of sorts throwing the first pitch at baseball games and even taking a few shots with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Watch the touching moment between Townsend and Obama.