I thought of Bob and arnie--and Snopes--when I read this.

It seems that David Kennison is remembered by some in the city of Chicago as "a great patriot" who lived to the "astounding age of 115." This memorial has been erected in his honor. Supposedly he fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill, scouted for George Washington, witnessed Gen. Charles Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown, and participated in the famous tea dumping. Yet, according to documents, he would have been 6 or 7; he actually died at age 85. He made his living by presenting himself as the "last surviving member of the Tea Party", and he had an affidavit to that effect. He even carried a little vial of tea around with him!

According to the article, he did fight in the war of 1812, though he may have lied about his age to get into that war. He claimed to have fought in both that war and the Revolutionary War.

As the author said, it's like the adage says, "If you're going to lie, tell a big lie and people are more likely to believe it."

That excludes, of course, Bob and arnie.