The last soldier.

[stevedeshazer]

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/635720.html

‘Last surviving link’ to World War I earns a fitting salute'

<snip>



The last doughboy came home to Missouri to be honored on this Memorial Day for his service to his country.

Frank Woodruff Buckles, 107 years old and the only known remaining United States veteran of World War I, was celebrated Sunday at the Liberty Memorial as the “last surviving link” to the Great War, which ended 90 years ago.

He was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Gold Medal of Merit and sat for a photographic portrait that will hang in the National World War I Museum.

“I am quite pleased with the reception I have received as a representative of World War I,” Buckles said to the invited audience that stood in respect for him. “And especially being here in Kansas City, because I am among my fellow Missourians.”

Buckles was born in Harrison County in north-central Missouri. He said he had “a feeling of longevity … but I didn’t know I was going to be the number one.”

:patriot:

[lapfog_1]

1. The winner of the WWI Tontine! - n/t

[stevedeshazer]

2. Sad, really. The guy deserves a better response.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. I live in KC and am repulsed by that memorial

I am glad to see this veteran get the recognition he deserves and if they held more events like this there it would be a more fitting memorial.

But since it was remodeled and re-opened, they have hosted Cheney, the Move America Forward group, the Gathering of Eagles group that assaults peace activists and of course the VFW, which is head quartered here.

And they absolutely refuse to allow any voices that don't support war and death to be present at any of their events. Even though it is public property and funded by public money, the grounds are off limits to peace activists. All those men who died in that war to defend our constitution and the people in charge of this memorial ignore the constitution.

Go figure.

[stevedeshazer]

4. I had no idea.

I'll bet the 107 year-old guy doesn't, either.

That's repulsive and a dishonor to the man.

Thanks for your local perspective, I really do appreciate it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. I do not mean to diminish the honor this veteran so deserves in any way

I am glad you understand.

This is truly red state hell here.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. BTW, here is a picture

We locals call it the "Penis on the Plains"

[stevedeshazer]

9. Wow. And it sometimes has flames, too?

I looked it up, and they can't afford to keep the flame burning?

http://www.savetheflame.org/

Penis on the Plains? The Burning Boner?

Whoa.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Yes they light it up at night

When they aren't begging for money to keep it lit.

And another bit of unimportant trivia - the park around it for years was a place for gay men to hook up. Since they remodeled it and put the museum in, they have kicked the gay men out of the park. But gay men used to meet at the Penis on the Plains.

[autorank]

7. He's got my vote - so do you.

Can you imagine what he's seen? McKinley or or Teddy Roosevelt - president at his birth.

What a guy, drove an ambulance. Very smart too:

"My memories haven't been confused as the stories of others because I didn't talk about it," he said. "So if I have any memories at all, they are quite accurate."

[stevedeshazer]

8. He was born in 1901

The age of McKinleyomics!

I imagine growing up in rural Missouri at the turn of the 20th century, he saw more mules than machines.

No airplanes, likely no cars, no electricity, no plumbing, all things we take for granted today.

My kids are adults and they would struggle with dialing a telephone and marvel at my vinyl records.

The great thing is, he still is lucid and aware.

This gives me hope; I'm just half his age.

I hope to see much more in my lifetime, too.

Nice to see you, buddy.

:thumbsup:

[autorank]

10. You as well

He is sharp. He saw and heard a lot of stuff. And he's made a choice never talk about it. Amazing.

On the age thing, it's not "half his age" - it's a fixed number - 39 -

"I'm 39" :toast: "You're 39" :toast:

[stevedeshazer]

12. Yeah buddy

39 forever!

:toast:

[Hissyspit]

11. The first year of the 20th Century.