Key to a long life? Dr Pepper, says 101-year-old US army veteran

Eugene Peterson, retired sergeant major who served in both the Philippines and Vietnam, says soda is the secret to longevity

A US army veteran who just turned 101 years old has revealed what he thinks is the key to a long life: Dr Pepper.

Eugene Peterson, a retired sergeant major who was drafted into the army in 1941 and served in both the Philippines and Vietnam, extolled the virtues of the soda pop while celebrating his birthday at Travis air force base in Fairfield, California, where he is a volunteer.