Friday, March 18, 2011

America's Last World War I Veteran Laid to Rest

From the March 15th Herald Mail.

Frank Buckles died Feb. 27th at age 110 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on March 15th.

High ranking military officers, Members of Congress, 118 members of the motorcycle group Patriot Guard Riders and 200 others were at the service.

A horse-drawn caisson brought his flag-draped coffin to the burial spot, a short distance from that of his hero and World War I leader, General John "Blackjack" Pershing.

Earlier in the day, Corporal Buckles' coffin lay in honor at Arlington's Memorial Amphitheater as hundreds paid their respects.

President Obama and Vice President Biden came to the chapel after it was closed to the public and spoke briefly with Buckles' daughter, Susannah Buckles Flanagan.

Funeral services were conducted by the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry regiment known as "The Old Guard."

Quite a Man, That Mr. Buckles.

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