National Park Service plans for restoration of the DC War Memorial

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

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.