The World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 4107, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) on February 29, 2012.
As reported by CoinNews.net, American Numismatic Association Numismatic Educator Rod Gillis spurred efforts to develop the coin over two years ago.
"It was really surprising to me that World War I veterans were never honored with their own coin," Gillis said in a statement. "This legislation will help give these veterans proper recognition."
The site also reported that the ANA has asked its 28,000 members to support the legislation.
If enacted, the legislation would issue up to 350,000 silver dollars in calendar year 2017 to mark the centennial of the entry of the United States into World War I.
A ten dollar surcharge from the sale of each coin would be forwarded from the U.S. Mint to the World War I Memorial Foundation
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Current Status of Efforts to Re-dedicate the D.C. War Memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial
Edwin Fountain, a director and founder of the World War I Memorial Foundation, testified on behalf of H.R. 938, the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act, at a hearing before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands on Jan. 24, 2012. Fountain’s testimony is on the subcommittee Web site, and hearing discussion of H.R. 938 is available from the subcommittee’s archived Web media at time code 53:38. Information on H.R. 938 is on the Library of Congress Thomas legislative information service.
H.R. 938, introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) on March 8, 2011, would designate the District of Columbia War Memorial in Washington, D.C., as the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial, and would authorize the Foundation to establish a commemorative work at the site to reflect its national character. The bill would also designate the Liberty Memorial and National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Finally, the bill would “establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I.”
The House has taken no further action on H.R. 938 since the hearing. House Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) has withdrawn as an honorary trustee of the Foundation board and reversed her original support for re-dedication of the D.C. War Memorial. The Mayor and City Council of the District of Columbia have joined her in opposition to the re-dedication proposal.
The Foundation continues to support re-dedication of the D.C. War Memorial as a national and District of Columbia World War I memorial, and also supports the establishment of a centennial commission to coordinate education about the Great War and commemoration of brave American men and women who served in it. They deserve no less.
H.R. 938, introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) on March 8, 2011, would designate the District of Columbia War Memorial in Washington, D.C., as the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial, and would authorize the Foundation to establish a commemorative work at the site to reflect its national character. The bill would also designate the Liberty Memorial and National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Finally, the bill would “establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I.”
The House has taken no further action on H.R. 938 since the hearing. House Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) has withdrawn as an honorary trustee of the Foundation board and reversed her original support for re-dedication of the D.C. War Memorial. The Mayor and City Council of the District of Columbia have joined her in opposition to the re-dedication proposal.
The Foundation continues to support re-dedication of the D.C. War Memorial as a national and District of Columbia World War I memorial, and also supports the establishment of a centennial commission to coordinate education about the Great War and commemoration of brave American men and women who served in it. They deserve no less.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Memorial services for Frank Buckles
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/
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/
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Daughter Susannah Buckles Flanagan responds to outpouring of sympathy for the passing of Frank W. Buckles
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.
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.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The passing of the last surviving American veteran of World War I, Frank Woodruff Buckles
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.
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.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The American Legion: ‘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."
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
NBC Washington Features Memorial's Planned Restoration
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.
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