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/
Friday, March 11, 2011
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.
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