National World War I Memorial Foundation News

Memorial services for Frank Buckles

2011-03-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of the World War I Memorial Foundation:

We now have information on memorial services for Frank Buckles. Mr. Buckles will lie in repose for public visitation on Sunday, March 13 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on Monday, March 14 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Gawler's Funeral Home in Bethesda, MD. Click here for further information.

Mr. Buckles will then lie in honor in the Amphitheater Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery chapel on Tuesday, March 15 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. He will be interred at the Cemetery at 4:00 pm on the 15th. Information on the Cemetery is available here: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

Daughter Susannah Buckles Flanagan responds to outpouring of sympathy for the passing of Frank W. Buckles

2011-03-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

Charles Town, W.Va. — March 5, 2011- My family and I have received a tremendous outpouring of support from thousands of Americans and people from countries all over the world who have extended their condolences for the loss of my father, Frank Woodruff Buckles.

My father was a humble and soft-spoken gentleman who did not seek honor or recognition for himself, but in the last few years of his life others began to seek his support to the cause of honoring the military veterans of World War I, which he was glad to do. He was invited to testify before Congress on this subject in 2009, and he was honored to do so. When he became the last living American veteran of World War I, he recognized his role as representative of all the service members who served, fought, and died in the Great War and felt that it was his duty to do so, just as strongly as he felt the call to enlist and help fight that war, with all the other American doughboys.

In recent years, various Members of Congress have proposed to honor all the military veterans of World War I by honoring the last of those veterans to die. As fate would have it, that turned out to be my father. While Papa was still living, it was suggested that he lie in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol as a final, formal tribute to all the veterans of World War I. Papa consented to this because he understood that, as the last living World War I veteran, he was expected to represent all of the World War I veterans. He looked upon this as his final duty, which he took very seriously.

My father's friends, family and acquaintances will acknowledge his character and accomplishments, remember him and mourn his loss regardless of any formal honors bestowed upon him. The issue is how do we as Americans come together over this loss, by providing a befitting venue to do so? How do we demonstrate to our own people and people all over the world how the United States of America honors its citizens of distinction? We need a time for reflection, and the recognition of the end of an era and the passing of a generation, especially for those men and women who made the Supreme Sacrifice for their country, and my father serves as a symbol for all those who served in World War I.

The Unknown Soldier from World War I and others have been recognized by lying in honor in the Rotunda of the Capital. If the last American soldier surviving is not suitable to serve as a symbol around which we can rally to honor those who served their country in the Great War, then who can serve that purpose? There is no one left. If we lose the opportunity to bestow this highest of honors on the person who was the last surviving representative, there can be no making it up later.

There is no extraordinary precedent being made here. The next similar request will come for the last survivor of World War II in 25 or 30 years' time, and it will be appropriate to honor that person, as well. It is absolutely appropriate to, and there is widespread public support for, allowing Frank Woodruff Buckles to lie in honor in the Rotunda. Let it be so.

We thank everyone for their prayers and support during this solemn time for our family and our country.

The passing of the last surviving American veteran of World War I, Frank Woodruff Buckles

2011-03-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of the World War I Memorial Foundation:

We are sad to note the passing of our honorary chairman and the last surviving American veteran of World War I, Frank Woodruff Buckles, at age 110 at his home in Charles Town, W. Va. Mr. Buckles was an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life, of which his service in World War I was but one small part. Below are links to various obituaries and tributes:

Last U.S. World War I veteran Frank W. Buckles dies at 110 (Washington Post)

Last living U.S. World War I veteran dies (CNN)

Frank Buckles dies at 110; last American veteran of World War I (Los Angeles Times)

United States Senator Jay Rockefeller

The Last Doughboy (George F. Will)

President Obama noted Mr. Buckles' service as honorary chairman of the Foundation in a public statement, and has ordered that flags be flown at half-mast on the day that Mr. Buckles is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Statement by the President on the Passing of Frank W. Buckles

Presidential Proclamation -- Death of Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles, the Last Surviving American Veteran of World War I

When we know more about funeral arrangements we will provide that information.

The Foundation will continue to champion the cause of a national World War I Memorial in Mr. Buckles' honor and memory. Restoration of the D.C. War Memorial by the National Park Service is underway, and will be completed later this year. In addition, the Park Service is developing new signage, maps and directional aids for the National Mall that will highlight and draw more attention to the memorial than it has received in years past.

Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Jim Webb (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD), along with Senators McCaskill and Blunt of Missouri, have introduced S. 253, which would designate the D.C. War Memorial and the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City as national World War I memorials, in addition to establishing a World War I centennial commission. We are continuing to advocate for passage of this bill in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

We have received on outpouring of support since Mr. Buckles' death, and we look forward to continuing to honor his legacy and that of the 4.7 milllion Americans he served with. Thank you for your support.

The American Legion: ‘Not for his sake, but for theirs’

2011-01-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

Foundation Honorary Chairman Frank Buckles was featured in The American Legion Magazine "Rapid Fire" with the story "Not for his sake, but for theirs."

Writer Christopher Lancette reports

"Frank Buckles nearly tumbled out of his wheelchair as he made his way along the crumbling stone walkway leading to the District of Columbia War Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. Algae had turned green the once-white dome of the memorial. Invasive plants had overtaken the open grove around it."

NBC Washington Features Memorial's Planned Restoration

2010-07-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

NBC Washington's July 16, 2010, feature story on the memorial highlighted Frank Buckles's support for re-dedication as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial.

Associated Press Report on Memorial Restoration

2010-07-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

On July 17, 2010, the Associated Press (AP) reported on the National Park Service's planned $2.3 million restoration of the D.C. War Memorial. AP's member media outlets offered wide news coverage of the memorial and the foundation's work.

Parade Magazine Cover Story Features Frank Buckles and the Memorial

2010-07-20T17:31:00.000-07:00

Foundation Honorary Chairman Frank Buckles was featured in Parade magazine's Memorial Day weekend cover story "The Last Doughboy's Final Fight."

Author Richard Rubin wrote, "The veterans I interviewed had one thing in common: No matter what they thought about their war or war in general or Army life, they were proud of their service to their country. And Frank Buckles is proud to stand up for them now. 'Veterans of all the wars deserve their honor,' he says."

World War I Memorial Foundation Represented at 75th Annual Commemorative Observance at D.C. War Memorial

2010-05-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

World War I Memorial Foundation secretary/treasurer and board member Edwin L. Fountain spoke on Frank Buckles’s dream of a national World War I memorial and on pending Congressional legislation, S. 2097, that would achieve this if enacted. Buckles, 109, is the last U.S. World War I veteran and the honorary chairman of the foundation. Michael T. Kelly of the National Park Service gave an overview of memorial’s restoration plan.

Keynote speaker District of Columbia Superior Court Associate Judge Robert R. Rigsby said, "every veteran I talk to, every soldier I see in uniform, everyone I know who has answered the call to duty is a living monument to the service and sacrifice of World War I veterans." In 2009, Rigsby became the first military judge in history to deploy full-time to an active theatre of war, as the sole military judge for Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, for which he received the Bronze Star.

The first annual Commemorative Observance was held on May 1, 1936, and was organized by the D.C. Salon Departmentale Eight & Forty, a subsidiary organization of The American Legion Auxiliary. Over the intervening years the event has been expanded to honor all war dead from the District of Columbia who fought in all conflicts for the United States. The District of Columbia World War Memorial and May Day Corporation, comprised of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, the Forty & Eight, and the Eight & Forty, was formed in 1940 for the purpose of arranging annual May memorial observances at the District of Columbia War Memorial. Expenses of the Annual Observances are borne by contributions from each of the four organizations, as well as members of the public.

World War I Memorial Foundation President David DeJonge Honored

2010-05-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

World War I Memorial Foundation President David DeJonge received the Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative from the Marshfield, Mo., Cherry Blossom Festival committee on April 23, 2010, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marshfield. DeJonge is a photographer whose work chronicled the lives of the world’s final World War I survivors. These photographs were exhibited during the Hubble dinner and at Shook Elementary during the annual Write-On Festival on April 22.

DeJonge is also the spokesman for the war’s last surviving American veteran, 109-year-old Frank Buckles, born in Harrison County, Mo. Buckles is the honorary chairman of the foundation, which seeks re-dedication of the D.C. War Memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War Memorial.

"Receiving the Hubble Award is a wonderful tribute to the efforts put forth not only by me but also others in honoring World War I veterans. I look forward to the completion of a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial in our nation’s capital to fulfill Mr. Buckles’s wish. Since Mr. Buckles is from Missouri and Missouri is also home to the wonderful Liberty Memorial and National World War I Museum this award has special meaning," DeJonge said.

Michigan College Students to Visit Frank Buckles

2010-05-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

Four Flint, Mi., college students are planning a trip to visit America's last World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, at his farm in West Virginia. The trip will be a history lesson for the students. Read the Flint Journal article about the trip.

World War I Memorial Foundation Receives $5,000 donation

2010-03-13T10:22:00.000-08:00

Frank Buckles was presented with a $5,000 donation in his name to the World War I Memorial Foundation from the Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tom Vance and Doug Payne visited Buckles at his farm near Charles Town, W. Va., in February to offer the organization’s contribution to the establishment of a national World War I memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. They also gave Buckles an award for his patriotic service. Buckles joined the Sons in 1948.

Last American World War I Veteran Frank Buckles Celebrated His 109th Birthday on Feb. 1

2010-03-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

The last surviving United States World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, is celebrating his 109th birthday on Feb. 1. He shared a 109-candle birthday cake with family and friends at his farm near Charles Town, W. Va.

Frank Woodruff Buckles was born in Harrison County, Mo., on Feb. 1, 1901. He lied about his age to enlist and was sent to England. He then served in France as an ambulance driver and later guarded POWs during the Occupation.

Buckles reads and exercises daily, and he is involved in production of a documentary about his life. As honorary chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation, he is dedicated to honoring the memory of his comrades with a memorial on the National Mall. He also wants to see more education and public awareness about World War I.

“When people come here, I ask them, the younger ones, what information they have about World War I, and most of them say either none at all or very little. And that bothers me,” he said.

Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) said, “I wish a very happy birthday to my friend Frank Buckles—a true patriot, a proud West Virginian, and the last surviving veteran of World War I—who turns 109 on Feb. 1. On this special occasion, I am enormously proud to recognize Frank’s leadership as honorary chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation. I share the foundation’s unwavering commitment to rededicating the existing Washington D.C. War Memorial as a national monument honoring every one of our nation’s WWI veterans. And I will continue to champion the Senate legislation [S. 2097] that will make it possible."

Frank Buckles Senate Testimony on World War I Memorial Bill

2010-03-07T10:27:00.000-08:00

The last surviving United States World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, testified in the Senate at on S. 2097, a bill to authorize re-dedication of the District of Columbia War Memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks held the hearing on S. 2097, the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act on Dec. 3, 2009. The bill, which has 12 cosponsors, was introduced by Senators John D. Rockefeller (D-W. Va.), Jim Webb (D-Va.), and John Thune (R-S.D.), who each testified on its behalf. Edwin L. Fountain, a director of the World War I Memorial Foundation also testified.

View a webcast of the hearing.

Sen. Rockefeller introduces Buckles at time code 29:56, and the foundation’s testimony begins at time code 98:28.

World War I Memorial Foundation Benefit Reception on Nov. 9

2009-10-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

A benefit reception to support the Memorial will be hosted by the World War I Memorial Foundation on Monday, November 9, 2009, at the Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, D.C. A donation of $150 is suggested. Speakers will include former Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) and distinguished architects Hugh Newell Jacobson, FAIA, and Arthur Cotton Moore, FAIA.

The event will feature an exhibit of photographs of the last survivors of the Great War by foundation trustee and noted photographer David DeJonge of Grand Rapids, Mich. DeJonge spent two years traveling around the world finding and photographing the last surviving veterans. The photographs will be on public view at Woodrow Wilson House Nov. 5-12.

Warner said, “As a sailor in the Navy during the last year of World War II, and the son of a World War I veteran, I am delighted to lend my support to the foundation’s work to ensure that an appropriate memorial will soon represent the contributions of all Americans who fought -- with the support of those on the home-front -- during World War I to defend the cause of freedom.”

Frank Buckles presented with check for World War I Memorial Foundation

2009-09-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

America’s last surviving World War I veteran, 108-year-old Frank Buckles, was presented with a $1350 check for the World War I Memorial Foundation on Saturday, September 5, 2009, at his farm in Charles Town, West Virginia. Buckles is the honorary chairman of the foundation.

Justin Rojek, head of a Montgomery, Ala., Sons of the American Revolution chapter, traveled to Buckles’s Gap View Farm for the Labor Day weekend event. The chapter raised the funds to support Mr. Buckles’s cause at a Memorial Day service they sponsored.

Buckles visited the D.C. War Memorial in 2008. He called for long-delayed restoration of the memorial, now planned by the National Park Service, and for its re-dedication as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial.

World War I Memorial to be featured on Fox News this weekend

2009-07-02T19:58:00.000-07:00

The Fox News national TV network ran a report over the Fourth of July weekend on the need for a national World War I Memorial. The report featured interviews with Frank Buckles and with Edwin Fountain, one of the directors of the Foundation.

As a reminder, we have begun an on-line petition asking Congress to re-dedicate the District of Columbia War Memorial as a national memorial. If you haven't done so, please sign and ask your family and friends to do the same.

Thanks again for your support.

Frank Buckles, DC War Memorial featured on ABC World News Tonight, CNN

2009-05-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Day weekend, ABC World News named Frank Buckles as its "Person of the Week." ABC profiled Mr. Buckles' remarkable life, and cited his call for a national World War I memorial. On CNN, Anderson Cooper's AC360 blog (Read Forgotten vets: ‘Doughboys’ deserve honor too) also discussed the need for a national World War I memorial on the Mall in Washington.

Watch the ABC World News segment.

Frank Buckles To Appear on ABC World News with Charles Gibson

2009-05-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

Frank W. Buckles, America's last surviving World War I veteran, will be featured on ABC's evening news program Friday, May 22. Mr. Buckles spoke to ABC about his call for a national World War I memorial on the Mall in Washington DC, adjacent to the national memorials to the other wars of the 20th century.

National Park Service allocates $7.3 million of stimulus funds for restoration of the DC War Memorial

2009-04-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

The Department of the Interior has announced that the National Park Service will spend $7.3 million on restoration of the District of Columbia War Memorial. The funds come from $750 million that was allocated to the nation's parks as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The memorial's restoration is one of 750 park projects around the country that are receiving stimulus funds. One of the two major goals of the World War I Memorial Foundation has thus been accomplished. The Foundation is continuing to lobby for Congressional authorization to re-dedicate the memorial as a "National and District of Columbia War Memorial."

Here are links to the Washington Post's article and Fox 5 coverage of the funding of the memorial's restoration.

Encyclopedia Britannica features WWI Service Learning Project in support of the D.C. War Memorial renovation

2009-03-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

Encyclopedia Britannica is helping to spread the mission of supporting the D.C. War Memorial to schools around the country. Britannica's Student News Net, a digital learning website, has highlighted the World War I Memorial as a student learning project. The Student News Net website features articles on the Foundation, its honorary chairman Frank Buckles, and Houston’s Creekwood Middle School’s service learning project that raised $13,553.83 for the memorial. A link to this website is provided on an Encyclopedia Britannica educator page or can be accessed directly at SNN.

Texas, Washington DC students show their support for a national World War I Memorial

2009-03-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

On March 6-7, the Foundation hosted a very special event for students from Houston, TX and Washington, DC. Students from Creekwood Middle School outside Houston and from Capital City Public Charter School in Washington independently adopted the DC War Memorial as a cause, and both groups undertook "service-learning" projects to learn about World War I and to raise funds for the memorial. A delegation of three students and about a dozen teachers and parents traveled from Houston to Washington last week, and met the students from Capital City at the Memorial for a "sweep and greet" to call attention to the poor condition of the memorial. Media from WAMU 88.5 (the local NPR station), WTOP 105.3 (local news radio), Fox 5 News, the Associated Press, and the Washington Times attended. The next day, the Creekwood contingent drove to the Charles Town, WV home of our honorary chairman and last surviving American veteran of World War I, Frank Buckles, to present him with a check for $13,500.

Here is the news report on Channel 5

National Park Service plans for restoration of the DC War Memorial

2009-02-26T10:32:00.000-08:00

The National Park Service has issued a "preliminary preferred alternative plan" for improvements to the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington. This planning document, which will still go through public review and comment as well as an environmental impact study, outlines the Park Service's plans for near- and long-term development of the Mall. The plan, which will likely be finalized in late 2009, includes as one of its elements the rehabilitation of the DC War Memorial.

See the NPS preliminary plan.

Frank Buckles, last surviving American veteran of World War I, turns 108

2009-02-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Frank W. Buckles, of Charles Town, West Virginia, turned 108 on February 1. Mr. Buckles is the honorary chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation, and the last surviving American veteran of the Great War. As the years went on, Mr. Buckles said, "I realized I'd be one of the last, but I never thought I'd be the last." He added, "Of course, if it has to be somebody, it might as well be me." Mr. Buckles was honored at the White House and the Pentagon last year, and has been advocating for the re-dedication of the District of Columbia War Memorial as a national World War I memorial.

Houston schoolchildren to support restoration and preservation of the DC War Memorial

2009-01-17T15:28:00.000-08:00

Creekwood Middle School in Houston, Texas, and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) will host Foundation president David DeJonge and his exhibit of photographs of the world's last survivors of World War I on February 9, 2009. The school has taken on support for the restoration and preservation of the District of Columbia War Memorial as this year's service learning project. The event marks the beginning of a national tour of David DeJonge's photographs. The students will engage in cross-curricular studies of World War I and will sell World War I donor tags to raise money and awareness concerning preservation of the World War I monument. See the following link for more information:

Creekwood Middle School's 2009 Service Learning Project on the World War One Memorial Exhibit

Congressman Ted Poe introduces legislation to re-dedicate the DC War Memorial

2008-09-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

Congressman Ted Poe introduces legislation to re-dedicate the DC War Memorial as a national World War I memorial. Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) and Frank W. Buckles, the 107-year-old last surviving American veteran of World War I, held a press conference on September 9, 2008 at the District of Columbia War Memorial to announce the introduction of Congressman Poe's bill to authorize re-dedication of the DC War Memorial as a national World War I memorial. Mr. Buckles is the honorary chairman of the National World War I Memorial Foundation. The event received extensive press coverage from CNN and other media outlets.

National World War I Memorial Foundation formed

2008-08-01T20:57:00.000-07:00

In August 2008, friends of the District of Columbia War Memorial from around the country incorporated the World War I Memorial Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation whose mission is to to raise funds for the restoration of the DC War Memorial, and to sponsor and raise funds for the re-dedication of that site as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial. The honorary chairman of the Foundation is Frank Buckles of West Virginia, the 107-year-old last surviving American veteran of World War I. The Foundation's president is David DeJonge, a Michigan photographer who for the past several years has traveled the world photographing the last survivors of the "Great War."