From the March 1st Sun Herald (Biloxi, Ms). AP by Vicki Smith.
I have been following the story of Frank Buckles for several years now, and last congratulated him on his 110th birthday which he celebrated last month.
"He didn't seek the spotlight" but outlived all 4.7 million of his doughboy comrades to become the last-living veteran of that long-ago war. He biographer calls him "the humble patriot.
Frank Buckles, who died Feb. 27th, enlisted in the Army at age 16 after lying about his age, died Sunday at his farm in Charles Town, West Virginia. He had devoted the last years of his life to bringing greater recognition to our World War veterans and especially, Mr. Buckles wanted a national memorial in Washington, DC.
When asked in 2008, how it felt to be the last survivor, he said, "I realized that somebody had to be, and it was me."
Only two-known veterans of World War I remain according to the Order of the First World War, whose members are descendants of WW I veterans. Florence Green of Britain was a member of the RAF and Claude Choules of Australia was a member of the Royal Navy. Green turned 110 in February also and Choules reaches that age this month.
More to Come. --Cooter
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