Posted on 12/04/2009 12:31:20 PM PST by FromLori
The last surviving US veteran of World War I has urged members of Congress to rededicate a Washington monument to the memory of his fellow combatants.
Frank Buckles, 108, said the US capital needed a symbol to honour all those who fought in the Great War.
A bill, named after Mr Buckles, proposes to rededicate an existing memorial on the National Mall in honour of all Americans who fought in WWI.
More than 100,000 Americans lost their lives during the campaign.
Mr Buckles, who travelled to Capitol Hill from his home in West Virginia, told a panel of senators it was "an excellent idea".
The official title of the bill is the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act.
It aims to rededicate the District of Columbia War Memorial which currently only commemorates the citizens of the District of Columbia who served in WWI.
Alternative plans However, the bill has its opponents.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
The BBC?
I know imagine that not reported here.
Born in 1900-1901. Seventeen or 18 in 1918 when he went overseas! Amazing!
Gosh, I wonder if I’ll make it to 2072 to reach that lofty perch?
I’ve met Mr. Buckles. He has some unbelievable stories. Had to con his way into the service because he was so young. Drove an ambulance in France, I believe. Met Pershing. In World War II he was a civilian in the Philippines and was captured by the Japanese. His house has all kinds of awards from world leaders on display. Why no one has made of movie about Frank Buckles’ life is a real mystery. I think he told me his great grandfather was killed at the battle of Oriskany during the Revolutionary War, or something like that.
When my daughter was in Iraq (2005), she received a random letter from one of those ‘support the troops’ organizations, from a WWI vet. It’s her most prized possession. The letter was about how proud he was of our youth, and keeping the American spirit alive.
Great to hear that and please thank her for her service for me.
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