Ooops, and thanks Val for the ping. The local home for veterans had a couple WWI vets not many years ago, both over 100 years old, and both got decorated by France (which decided it was time to say a special thank you for those who defended France in WWI, what’s the rush, eh?). And both of them died not long after, one unable to walk for a few years before, the other spry and still slow-dancing the ladies. :’)
Through research, I met and became friends with a gentleman whose grandfather had been a slave, and a member of the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Until I was put in contact with him, I had no idea that the Civil War soldier’s daughters were still alive. I spoke to the oldest daughter over the phone, and met the youngest daughter several times over the years. The oldest daughter has since passed, but the youngest still survives. She just turned 100 this year, and is living in a nursing home in New Jersey.