Lary Ellis (Top)

I met Frank Buckles several years ago at a regional VFW Affair and had the great honor of speaking with him for a bit..... Frank tried to enlist in the Army when America entered WW1 in 1917, even though he was turned down by multiple recruiters he never gave up and finally was accepted at age 16 (having told the recruiter he was 18).

Much to Franks dismay he never saw combat in WW1, despite having done EVERYTHING he could to get there. He was not so lucky later on having become a POW in the Philippines in WW2. After the war Frank NEVER stopped fighting for the recognition he felt his fellow WW1 brethren deserved and became a staunch advocate for a National WW1 Memorial in Wash DC. He lived daily to try and make it happen and sadly it still has not been completed.

I was told he would call his representatives in his home state of West Virginia, sometimes daily and certainly weekly trying to get the WW1 Veterans the respect he so deeply felt they had not been given.

He died yesterday February 27 2011 at age 110 the Last Surviving WW1 Veteran sadly without seeing his dream become a reality.

Rest In Peace Warrior, and thank you for your service. Though our contact was brief, I will never forget you and your Nobel cause.

God Speed Soldier

Justwannabeme

Amazing story on both parts, his own and your lucky encounter.

why are we missing out on such a great story from the so called media?

any war historian can tell you the huge impact WWI tactics and inventions had, along with leadership- the cruel and the heroic. yes. truly a Great Soldier.

"Lest we forget, History ignored is the bane of those who are to destined to repeat the horrors anew. Remember all of our History, and Learn!"

staarma

Thanks for sharing Lary. Everytime we lose a true veteran, hero and patriot like this we lose a bit of what America once was. It's sad really.

RIP Sir.

ktpauley

Lary thanks for sharing. I read about his passing in a local paper. God speed Soldier. May you Rest In Peace. Thank you for serving. Keith

Blake Clark

The last of a Generation. Thanks Top for sharing!

Bark

Hopefully he will achieve in death what he tried for in life as long as the momentum for the memorial is kept up.

Don M

I am glad there is "some" press about the old fella. I read this article a few days back and instantly thought of you Lary. The West Virgina part was the trigger for me I guess.

It amazing that we still had a WW1 vet around and I wish I had the fortune to speak to him like you did.

I have a neighbor WW2 vet that I sponge information and wisdom from as much as I can. I take him his mail and paper every day I can, or maybe the kids will if I am working late. I have learned a ton from his old butt. He was a B52 gunner. He road a burning plane to the ground 3 times and lived through it. His stories are intense. He tells me how he loved shooting Germans or at least shooting at something they were flying in and having them shoot back. The guy reminds me of Chuck Mawhinney in that respect.

Dieseldude4x4

It was on the national news last night here in Richmond. 110 years, I can't even imagine that. And he testified in court as short as two years ago!!!
He's in good hands now.

SIXSLUG

Rest in Peace, Mr. Buckles, you served honrably. A real Hero.

ramlovingvet

Sad to lose our last.