RIP FRANK BUCKLES

On Sunday February 28, 2011, FRANK BUCKLES, the last living U.S. WWI DOUGHBOY, passed away peacefully from 'natural causes' at the age of 110.

Buckles served as a U.S. Army ambulance driver in Europe during WWI and rose to the rank of corporal before the war ended. He also fought to see that his comrades were honored with a monument on the National Mall, alongside memorials for veterans of World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. Buckles made history when he was asked to testify in Congress on the matter before a House committee on December 3, 2009. "I have to", he said.

His daughter, Flanagan, said preliminary plans began weeks ago, with the Military District of Washington expressing its support for an honors burial at Arlington, including an escort platoon, a horse-drawn casket arrival, a band and a firing party. "It has long been my father's wish to be buried in Arlington, in the same cemetery that holds his beloved General Pershing," Flanagan said.

Buckles' family asks that donations be made to the National World War I Legacy Project to honor Frank Buckles and the 4,734,991 Americans that he served with during World War I. Details can be found at: www.frankbuckles.org

*above taken from CNN