On the recordMarch 17, 2011
I was honored to participate in the events at Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran and the representative of the lost generation of our ``Doughboys.'' It was a moving afternoon standing with so many on the knoll and seeing Frank Buckles buried in section 34, in sight of General Pershing's grave and among many other World War I veterans. I also thought about the American flags at half mast in our embassies in the countries of our World War I allies. Honestly though, the way I want to remember Frank Buckles is in his study, surrounded by books and telling amazing stories about the adventures of his life. Frank Buckles' rich and colorful life is now part of our national history, our national consciousness and our national effort to pay tribute to the men and women who died in the most significant wars of the last century. Frank's effort to join the Army was a deliberate commitment to join military service and he was eager to get to Europe. He loved the Army and his service in World War I as an ambulance driver which exposed him to some of the worst horrors of that conflict. After his military service, Frank Buckles continued his efforts to engage the world. His life, a long sweeping arc across the last century, included an exciting and varied life where he traveled the world, working abroad and experiencing things that most of us can only read about.…
