Frank Buckles deserves to be honored in the Capitol rotunda.
Born in Missouri on February 1, 1901 and raised in Oklahoma, Frank Buckles visited a string of military recruiters after the United States entered the “war to end all wars” in April 1917.
“I went to the state fair up in Wichita, Kansas, and while there, went to the recruiting station for the Marine Corps,” he said. “The nice Marine sergeant said I was too young when I gave my age as 18, said I had to be 21.” Buckles returned a week later.
“I went back to the recruiting sergeant, and this time I was 21,” he said with a grin. “I passed the inspection… but he told me I just wasn’t heavy enough.” Then he tried the Navy, whose recruiter told Buckles he was flat-footed.
Buckles wouldn’t quit. In Oklahoma City, an Army captain demanded a birth certificate to prove he was 18. “I told him birth certificates were not made in Missouri when I was born, that the record was in a family Bible. I said, ‘You don’t want me to bring the family Bible down, do you?’” Buckles said with a laugh. “He said, ‘OK, we’ll take you.’” He was actually 16 1/2. He enlisted Aug. 14, 1917, serial number 15577. Buckles would later become the last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I passing on February 27, 2011.
Buckles also survived being a civilian POW in the Philippines in World War II. In 1941, while on business in the Philippines, Buckles was captured by the Japanese. He spent more than three years in prison camps.
The last known Canadian veteran of the war died in February 2010. There are no French or German veterans of the war left alive. Only two known veterans of WWI remain: Florence Green in Britain and Claude Choules in Australia.
Frank Buckles is being denied a memorial ceremony at the Capitol rotunda where thousands of veterans and admirers could pay their last respects. This honor requires a resolution by Congress, or the approval of its leaders. Currently this resolution / approval is being blocked by House Speaker John Boehner according to statements by WV Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin III. Rosa Parks was given this honor.
I personally called Speaker Boehner’s office for an explanation of why he is blocking this honor for our last WWI soldier. An assistant told me that Speaker Boehner feels that burying Buckles at Arlington National Cemetery is enough. I know there is not room at Arlington to hold all the veterans and admirers during the burial. When I asked where everyone should go, the assistant had no answers.
Today I called both of my Senators and my Congressman asking for any help to allow Frank Buckles the memorial service at the Capitol rotunda that he deserves. Would you please call your Senators and Congressman and request the same? Would you add your voices to mine and call Speaker Boehner’s office too?
Senator John Boehner - Ohio
Office of the Speaker of the House
H-232 The Capitol
Washington DC 20515
(202) 225-0600 Phone
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