Monday, February 28, 2011

Last U.S. WWI vet dies at age 110


Just cutting & pasting here from a story I read today. Amazing. Imagine the changes this man saw during his long lifetime. 


Last living U.S. WWI vet dies at 110



In spring 2007, Buckles told the AP of the trouble he went through to get into the military.
"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.
"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 enlisted Aug. 14, 1917, serial number 15577.


Read more here

3 comments:

The 4 Bushel Farmgal said...

It's amazing how dedicated he was in wanting to serve his country. And how he always took interest in what was available: from bicycling the Frence countryside and learning the German language to visiting museums in Europe and in NYC when he could. A very wise person!

Mug said...

I am SO glad you posted this! No wonder he lived so long...sounds as if he focused on each day and made the best of whatever situation he found himself in! I would have loved to have known him. What an inspiration for the rest of us:)
p.S. Husband enjoyed this article, too!

Mug said...

Oooo...I like your St. Patrick's day header!