Family of WWI veteran looks forward to 110th birthday

Gerald · 12-30-10, 09:31 AM

Washington (CNN) - The family of Frank Buckles, the nation's lone living veteran of World War I, hopes he makes it to his 110th birthday about a month from now, despite troubling signs he is on the decline.Buckles, who was born February 1, 1901, is thought to be the world's oldest living war veteran. Buckles has slowed down considerably in just the past two months, according to his daughter Susannah Buckles Flanagan, who lives with him at the family home near Charles Town, in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. A family friend who visited two weeks ago says he is awake just a few hours a day.

"It has long been my father's wish to be buried in Arlington, in the same cemetery that holds his beloved General (John. J.) Pershing (commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI)," Flanagan wrote, appealing for help from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia. "I feel confident that the right thing will come to pass."

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/12/29...ex.html?hpt=C2

Note: December 30, 2010 Updated 0256 GMT

Factor · 12-30-10, 01:31 PM

110. Wow! I hope i make it to 55.

Gerald · 12-30-10, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Factor

110. Wow! I hope i make it to 55.

It is clear that you do, spend time wisely, it will go well,

Platapus · 12-30-10, 08:27 PM

Personally, I hope I never make it to 110. That's just too old for me.

But good for him. I hope he lives to 120!

Gerald · 12-31-10, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Personally, I hope I never make it to 110. That's just too old for me.

But good for him. I hope he lives to 120!

Tessa · 12-31-10, 03:40 AM

Unless the laws have changed, any veteran that is either killed in combat or dies has the priviledge to be buried at Arlington. When my Grandfather died many years ago he did have the option of being interred at Arlington (he was also Patton's personal driver in the field, doesn't hurt to be connected) or at the funeral ceremony there would be an honor guard assigned to the burial. Since he wan't an O-9/O-10 he wasn't eligible for a 21 gun salute, but at still got a 7 gun salute. As we opted for a burial closer to home so we could visit there was indeed an honor guard, and I was given the honor of receiving the tri-folded US flag that was drapped over his casket during the ceremony.

12-30-10, 09:31 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Family of WWI veteran looks forward to 110th birthday Washington (CNN) - The family of Frank Buckles, the nation's lone living veteran of World War I, hopes he makes it to his 110th birthday about a month from now, despite troubling signs he is on the decline.Buckles, who was born February 1, 1901, is thought to be the world's oldest living war veteran. Buckles has slowed down considerably in just the past two months, according to his daughter Susannah Buckles Flanagan, who lives with him at the family home near Charles Town, in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. A family friend who visited two weeks ago says he is awake just a few hours a day. "It has long been my father's wish to be buried in Arlington, in the same cemetery that holds his beloved General (John. J.) Pershing (commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI)," Flanagan wrote, appealing for help from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia. "I feel confident that the right thing will come to pass." http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/12/29...ex.html?hpt=C2 Note: December 30, 2010 Updated 0256 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-30-10, 08:27 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,375 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Personally, I hope I never make it to 110. That's just too old for me. But good for him. I hope he lives to 120! __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

12-30-10, 01:31 PM	#2
Factor Weps Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 356 Downloads: 180 Uploads: 0	110. Wow! I hope i make it to 55.

12-31-10, 03:40 AM	#6
Tessa Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CG 96 Posts: 861 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	Unless the laws have changed, any veteran that is either killed in combat or dies has the priviledge to be buried at Arlington. When my Grandfather died many years ago he did have the option of being interred at Arlington (he was also Patton's personal driver in the field, doesn't hurt to be connected) or at the funeral ceremony there would be an honor guard assigned to the burial. Since he wan't an O-9/O-10 he wasn't eligible for a 21 gun salute, but at still got a 7 gun salute. As we opted for a burial closer to home so we could visit there was indeed an honor guard, and I was given the honor of receiving the tri-folded US flag that was drapped over his casket during the ceremony.