Just hear on the radio that there are only 14 living American

[sarge43]

veterans who served during the First World War.

Hand salute, gentlemen and, as always, thank you.

[achtung_circus]

1. In Canada

there are 3 left, so 14 in the states is about right.

[sarge43]

6. And this Yank's thanks to them.

If any of them served in the trenches ... well, St Pete will hand wave them in, "Time served."

[rockymountaindem]

7. Really? Wow. Check out my post #5

I was just wondering about that.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. ditto!

:patriot:

[Aviation Pro]

3. That puts them somewhere between 104 - 108.....

...wow.

[sarge43]

8. Short clip of one being interviewed; he's 109.

Hellva lot of memories.

[liberal N proud]

4. We should dedicate last Tuesday election victories to them

Democracy safe once again.

[rockymountaindem]

5. Wow. We're approaching the end of an era

I go to school in Canada, where "Rememberance Day" is still very focused on WWI (which it should be, but which we have expanded in the US to include all our veterans). WWI, for Canadians, represents a national turning point, because it was the first time Canada made a contribution on the international scene in a noticeable way. They had sent troops to South Africa in 1899, but in rather small numbers in a small war. The memory of WWI is of critical importance to Canada. They still wear little poppies on their clothes up here. Just the other day I bought one in a subway station from a WWII vet, who looked like he was mustering all his remaining strength just to pin it on me. I'll remember that all my life. He had an overcoat on over his uniform, so I couldn't see all his medals, but it looked from what I could see that he had some of the Commonwealth campaign medals from the European Theatre. The other thing that struck me was his Jewish War Veterans pin. I can only imagine the feelings he had then and now to have fought against the Nazis.

Just the other day, I was thinking of what it would be like in Canada when they hear the news that the last Canadian WWI vet has passed away. That day can't be too far in the future now, sadly. I wear the poppies every year since I've been here because their men and women fought alongside ours, and they are all worthy of our rememberance. I think it's a very nice tradition.

[applegrove]

9. Yes. I'm surprised at even that number. They must have all been

runaways too young to enlist but enlisted anyways. My grandfather tried that as a tween..but got sent home. He was in WWII though.

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. I remember when i was very young, hearing about the death of the last Civil War Soldier

In the early 60's. The last one to die was, if memory serves, a young boy when he was in the war and was either a flag bearer or a drummer.

I'm 47. I fully expect to live to see the death of the last WWII vet. There is something like 2000 American WWII vets passing away every day. My dad was one and he left us in 2000.

Time rolls on.

[Algorem]

11. that was supposed to be the last war.somebody screwed up.

Dozen vets of WWI still soldier on

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061110/LOCAL/211100324/1078/news

November 10. 2006 6:01AM

Scrawny but determined to fight in World War I, Howard Ramsey scarfed down banana after banana to bulk up enough to enlist. Today, he is still feisty at 108.

At 16, Frank Buckles lied about his age so he could go to war against the Germans in France. Now 105, he still runs his West Virginia cattle farm.

The son of former slaves, Moses Hardy and his segregated unit battled the enemy in horrific trench combat. Now 112 or 113, he says the only doctor he needs is Dr. Pepper.

These remarkable "Doughboys" - and about two handfuls more - are members of an increasingly fragile fraternity, relics of a world-changing war...


WWI 'doughboys' dwindle to just 12
108-year-old former Army private from Wood County among them

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061110/NEWS17/611100387/-1/NEWS


A Wood County veteran is among only a dozen surviving "doughboys," members of an increasingly fragile fraternity, relics of a world-changing war little remembered today.

Once J. Russell Coffey of North Baltimore was among 4.7 million strong: American farm boys, factory hands, and tradesmen itchy for adventure, all called by their country to fight in World War I, known as "the war to end all wars."

Now, when the 88th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I arrives tomorrow, there won't be enough surviving U.S. veterans of that defining conflict to fill a platoon.

Mr. Coffey, 108, was an Army private who never saw battle overseas. He enlisted in Columbus on Oct. 19, 1918...


Radio documentary on WWI vets to air Saturday

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_more.php?id=73775_0_10_0_M

By ALLEN ESSEX
Valley Morning Star

PORT ISABEL — Young people who think a “doughboy” is just a cute character from a biscuit commercial might do well to listen to a two-hour radio documentary to be broadcast Saturday.

National Public Radio host and producer Will Everett, of South Padre Island, teamed with television journalist Walter Cronkite to produce a Veterans Day documentary titled “World War I Living History Project.”

The radio program is the culmination of interviews of what are believed to be the last dozen American soldiers who fought in the “War to End All Wars,” which erupted in 1914 and ended in 1918.

Hosted by Cronkite, the program gives the direct, personal perceptions of men who went off to war as teenagers and who are now 105 to 114 years old...


EDITORIAL: Veterans Day

http://www.lufkindailynews.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2006/11/9/11/10_eddy_for_luf.html


Thursday, November 09, 2006

The setting aside of Nov. 11 as a day to honor those who died in service to our country, began in 1919 first as Armistice Day.

This paragraph from President Woodrow Wilson's proclamation set the tone for future observances:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation."

Nov. 11 was chosen to commemorate the signing of an armistice agreement with Germany, bringing an end to World War I, the "war to end all wars."...


A Keeper Of Their Flame
by Jim Huber
HOFMAG.com Exclusive

http://www.hofmag.com/content/view/399/30/

A few days ago, with as much fanfare as can warrant a collection of 110-year old bones, a quiet part of world history was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Frances Lupo was a doughboy, just a kid enlisted in the American Army and sent charging bravely into a thing called World War I. His remains, left at the second battle of the Marne in 1918, were never found.

Until last month.

To most of us, it is much like the sudden discovery of Lucy's ancestors in the mountains of Kenya or the withered child bride of Beauregard Knox of the second cavalry of Kentucky...

[Lowell]

12. When I first joined the VFW

about thirty years ago we had a WWI vet who came in every day for a shot. He continued until he passed a few years ago. He was ancient, but sharp as a razor. It was an honor having the opportunity to talk with him.

[sarge43]

13. In today's Union Leader on the front page there's a picture of

Samuel Goldberg, 106, WWI vet and the last surviving member of the US Army Cavalry. Living history about to fade into legend.