When we think of our wars – which have been many and terrible – we may immediately think of Afghanistan and Iraq, Vietnam, Korea and World War II.
But we rarely seem to consider World War I these days because is was “long ago.”
And yet, nearly 5 million Americans joined U.S. military forces in 1917 and 1918 to fight the war.
Frank Buckles was among them. At age 16, he was “too young” for World War I. But he repeatedly tried to join the Army. He was rejected by several recruiters before he managed to be accepted by claiming he was older.
He was our last American World War I veteran when he died last Sunday on his farm in Charles Town, W.Va., at age 110.
He was one of the millions of Americans who have served our country patriotically and honorably in military uniform.