And Then There Were None..Last WWI Veteran Dies..RIP Frank.

Friends- The last WWI veteran has gone on to join General Pershing to fight for eternity. Mr. Buckles has passed on. ~ David DeJonge~

I first learned about Frank Buckles by reading The Last Leaf by Stuart Lutz. I started following his story on the facebook page, Pershing Last Patriot. Frank Buckles Story. It is an amazing story that deserves to be told and heard.

Per his Website......

Frank was born on February 1, 1901. At the age of 16, he witnessed the European theater of World War I, serving in the United States Army as an ambulance driver. In World War II, he became a Prisoner of War in the Philippines and was imprisoned for 39 months. After his return, Frank settled down in West Virginia to his humble farm, where he lived until his death on February 27, 2011, at the age of 110.

His life is a true story of American commitment and heroism, inspiring many to ask how they can help. Frank's family is deeply appreciative of these offers and attention, but continues to stress it is not so much about Frank, but all he represents.

I was sadden today by the news of Frank's passing. Not because he has not lived a long and wonderful life, but because our length to that part of history is now gone. His story deserves to be told. My hope is that his story will be told, David DeJonge has worked so very hard to make that happen. We as a nation owe Frank that and so much more.

My hope and prayer is that our lawmakers will step up and ensure that a WWI Memorial is built to honor the dough boys of World War I. That was Franks last wish was to see his comrades honored , we as a nation owe them that and need to ensure it happens.

"These are difficult times, and we are not asking for anything elaborate," he said in a statement in November 2010. "What is fitting and right is a memorial that can take its place among those commemorating the other great conflicts of the past century." He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetary at a date to be determined, with special Honors from the French and United Kingdom. President George W Bush signed a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, WV, for the burial at Arlington in 2008.

CPL Buckles is survived by a grateful Nation, and many relatives and friends. Frank your work on earth is done. Into the West..Rest in peace...The ships have come to carry you home....