The Last Doughboy: Frank Buckles Turns 110

[DFW HOYA]

The last U.S. veteran of WWI and one of only three men in the world remaining from the Great War, turned 110 today.

He not only served in WWI but was a three year POW in WWII.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Buckles

[TBird41]

Wow. I had no idea there were any WWI veterans still alive.

"When asked about the secret of his long life, Buckles replied: "Hope," adding, "[W]hen you start to die... don't.""

[AustinHoya03]

Frank Buckles passed away yesterday at his home in West Virginia.

www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/us/01buckles.html?_r=1&hp

[Coast2CoastHoya]

R.I.P to a truly great American.

[The Stig]

Rest in peace indeed. A man who truly served his country well.

I believe there are only three known WWI veterans still alive. Although they will sadly all be gone soon, let us hope that the lessons of that horrible conflict never die. It is hard to think of another conflict that was started so needlessly, fought so brutally and pointlessly, and ended so poorly.

The politicians and generals started the war for no good reason and continued it long after the men in the trenches realized the awful truth that the war had no purpose. Afterwards the Allied leaders proceeded to lose the peace even though their fighting men had won the war. After all that sacrifice, it's truly tragic that so little lasting good came from the Great War.

[Boz]

Boo on Speaker Boehner.

www.nationaljournal.com/daily/boehner-says-no-capitol-ceremony-for-world-war-i-vet-20110303

Don't get me wrong. I don't think it's an "outrage" or anything if he doesn't lie in honor in the Capitol. But I think it would be a good thing.

[TBird41]

Mar 4, 2011 15:12:10 GMT -5 Boz said:

Boo on Speaker Boehner.

www.nationaljournal.com/daily/boehner-says-no-capitol-ceremony-for-world-war-i-vet-20110303

Don't get me wrong. I don't think it's an "outrage" or anything if he doesn't lie in honor in the Capitol. But I think it would be a good thing.

The list of people who've lain in state:

www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol/lain_in_state.cfm

It's a pretty exclusive list. Honestly, I think it should stay that way.

[Boz]

They're not requesting not lying in state. It's lying in honor.

A semantic distinction? Perhaps. But they gave the latter to Rosa Parks and the Capitol policemen who were killed. I don't see why they couldn't give it to this gentleman too.

Like I said, not an outrage, just a mild "Boo on you, John Boehner."

[TBird41]

Mar 4, 2011 15:31:22 GMT -5 Boz said:

They're not requesting not lying in state. It's lying in honor.

A semantic distinction? Perhaps. But they gave the latter to Rosa Parks and the Capitol policemen who were killed. I don't see why they couldn't give it to this gentleman too.

Like I said, not an outrage, just a mild "Boo on you, John Boehner."

Right, those folks were on the list. I'm just more of a small Hall kind of person, and while Buckles deserves to be honored, I don't know that he should be lying in honor. The two Capital policemen gave their lives protecting the Capital--there's no doubt in mind that they should have lain in honor. Rosa Parks was a huge part of the Civil Rights movement.

Frank Buckles lived a great life, but I don't think Boehner should be getting booed for not granting him that honor--a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery is more appropriate IMO. At the end of the day, I think I'd have made the same decision Boehner did, but, it's not like I'd be booing him if he'd gone the Boz route.

Man, it's really hard not to sound like cold hearted dick on this.

[The Stig]

I think a ceremony in honor of Buckles and all the Doughboys in the Rotunda would be appropriate. That doesn't require lying in honor, which I agree would be a bit much.

[Boz]

Don't get me wrong. I think what they do have planned for Buckles -- a ceremony in Arlington next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, also from WWI -- will be a great honor, very respectful and a very appropriate and fitting tribute. And I think they are planning on using the occasion to honor all who served in WWI, which is really nice.

I just think, given Buckles' status, a little more would have been really nice and the Capitol ceremony wouldn't have really been asking too much.

I'm not bashing Boehner or trying to cause a huge stir (or calling anyone cold-hearted, T-Bird), just giving the Speaker a "boo" because I happen to disagree with with this call.

Only thing I'm curious about, is why Boehner said no when Rockefeller and Manchin requested it. I haven't been able to find that on the Interwebs.

I should also clarify: This is not exclusively John Boehner's decision. These calls are made jointly by the House and Senate, and I believe Harry Reid has also indicated that he is not in favor of a lying in honor ceremony.

[TBird41]

Mar 4, 2011 23:47:46 GMT -5 Boz said:

Don't get me wrong. I think what they do have planned for Buckles -- a ceremony in Arlington next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, also from WWI -- will be a great honor, very respectful and a very appropriate and fitting tribute. And I think they are planning on using the occasion to honor all who served in WWI, which is really nice.

I just think, given Buckles' status, a little more would have been really nice and the Capitol ceremony wouldn't have really been asking too much.

I'm not bashing Boehner or trying to cause a huge stir (or calling anyone cold-hearted, T-Bird), just giving the Speaker a "boo" because I happen to disagree with with this call.

Only thing I'm curious about, is why Boehner said no when Rockefeller and Manchin requested it. I haven't been able to find that on the Interwebs.

I should also clarify: This is not exclusively John Boehner's decision. These calls are made jointly by the House and Senate, and I believe Harry Reid has also indicated that he is not in favor of a lying in honor ceremony.

I think Boehner and Reid fall into the "small Hall" category with me. And I don't think you were calling me "cold hearted". There's just no way to argue "hey, the oldest WWI veteran who lived an awesome life" shouldn't get an honor w/o feeling cold hearted.

[Nevada Hoya]

Mar 1, 2011 22:09:18 GMT -5 The Stig said:

Rest in peace indeed. A man who truly served his country well.

I believe there are only three known WWI veterans still alive. Although they will sadly all be gone soon, let us hope that the lessons of that horrible conflict never die. It is hard to think of another conflict that was started so needlessly, fought so brutally and pointlessly, and ended so poorly.

The politicians and generals started the war for no good reason and continued it long after the men in the trenches realized the awful truth that the war had no purpose. Afterwards the Allied leaders proceeded to lose the peace even though their fighting men had won the war. After all that sacrifice, it's truly tragic that so little lasting good came from the Great War.

Every British movie coming out that replays that era recalls the fact that an entire generation was killed off.

[rosslynhoya]

It was somewhat of a big deal three years ago when the federal government changed the policy for burial at Arlington National Cemetery to allow Mr. Buckles to be buried there with full military honors.

Under normal policy, his non-combat military service did not qualify him for burial at Arlington. The debate in 2008 largely revolved around the idea that we as a nation should do something special for him as a representative of all those who served.

www.militarytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_wwivet_041008/

[Bando]

Meh. I don't see how a ceremony at Arlington is a slight, nor how Arlington is anything less than honorable. Boehner is right.

[SFHoya99]

This is one of those things where someone just has to decide and of course some people are going to make an issue of it, but honestly, if he had suggested another thing, someone would say Arlington was a better idea.