On the recordMarch 3, 2011
today I want to honor the passing of America's last surviving veteran of the First World War, Mr. Frank Woodruff Buckles. It is important that we as a nation express our deep appreciation for the sacrifices that Mr. Buckles and his brothers-in-arms endured for our country nearly a century ago. Men like Frank have fought in numerous battles in the defense of this Nation and have made sure that we as Americans are able to enjoy the quality of life that we so cherish. Mr. Buckles witnessed the world change dramatically throughout his lifetime and had experiences that most of us can only dream about. He saw the metamorphosis that defined the American social and cultural revolutions of the last century. As a young man, he served in the Army's ambulance corps in France and Germany, where he evacuated wounded soldiers from the battlefield. As a civilian during the Second World War, he spent more than three years in a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines. As a tribute to Mr. Buckles and for all the World War I veterans that he represents, we must remember all of his brothers and sisters who defended our country along with him. Nearly 4.5 million U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines joined forces with over 37 million Allied soldiers to defeat the Central Powers. These service members witnessed atrocities such as gas warfare that were unprecedented at the time.
