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.
Associated Press Report on Memorial Restoration
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
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."
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."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
World War I Memorial Foundation Represented at 75th Annual Commemorative Observance at D.C. War Memorial
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
World War I Memorial Foundation Receives $5,000 donation
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.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Last American World War I Veteran Frank Buckles Celebrated His 109th Birthday on Feb. 1
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 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."
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Frank Buckles Senate Testimony on World War I Memorial Bill
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)