Pershing's Last Soldier

The last of a generation of soldiers has passed on. Frank Buckles, the last American veteran of World War I died in his home in Charles Town, West Virgina on February 27, 2011 at the age of 110. A kind, humble, man with a sharp wit Frank lived an amazing life few could duplicate. Only 16 when the United States entered the first World War Frank lied about his age to join the US Army after having been turned down by both the Navy and Marine Corps. In late 1917 Frank sailed to Europe aboard the RMS Carpathia the ship famous for rescuing the survivors of the Titanic, during the trip he had many opportunities to meet crew members who participated in the rescue. After arriving in France Frank served in 1st Fort Riley Casual Detachment as an ambulance and motorcycle driver. After the Armistice he remained in France until his discharge in January 1920. Following his discharge Frank worked for several shipping companies which sent him to the Philippines, it was here the Frank became part of yet another war. On December 8, 1941 the Japanese invaded the Philippines bringing World War II to the island nation. Frank was captured by the Japanese early the next year and remained a prison of war at Los Banos for over three years until he was liberated. After liberation He moved back to the States and married Audrey Mayo and they had one daughter. Later Frank retired from the shipping business and bought a farm in West Virginia where he lived the rest of his life.
In recent years Frank Buckles has been a living memory of The Great War and a strong advocate of construction of the National World War I Memorial on the National Mall. After the death of Harry Landis Frank became the last American World War I veteran and earned the nickname "Pershing's Last Patriot".
When asked the secret to his long life Frank replied "Whenever you start to die...don't"

Now Peshing's Last Patriot is to be buried in Arlington Cemetery. A generation of great soldiers has passed on and while they are no longer with us, their legacy remains and it is up to us to keep it alive. To ensure the sacrifice, hardships, and heroism of the individual men and women of all nations in not lost. For that is the only way to truly remember Frank Buckles and The War to End All Wars.