Jay Rockefeller: “Today--February 1--is the 110th birthday of Frank Buckles, the longest surviving veteran of World War I. It is also the…”

“Today--February 1--is the 110th birthday of Frank Buckles, the longest surviving veteran of World War I. It is also the day that I am proud to introduce a bipartisan bill to recognize the extraordinary efforts of 4 million men and women who served in World War I. Our goal is to rededicate the DC memorial on the Mall as the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial, and rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Our legislation also creates a commission to plan the national observance of the centennial. Having the appropriate tributes for our World War I veterans has been a cause for Frank Buckles. Over the years, he has become a representative of his generation of veterans. His personal story is similar to many young men of his era. As an eager 16-year-old, Frank Buckles tried to enlist in the Army several times and finally succeeded. He then pestered his officers to be sent to France.”