[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2836-2837]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING FRANK BUCKLES

  Mr. BURR. Madam President, I wish to take a moment in this Chamber to 
honor the passing of the last doughboy, Mr. Frank Buckles, the last of 
those World War I veterans. Mr. Buckles was America's last living World 
War I veteran and he died Sunday in West Virginia. His death came 1 
month after his 110th birthday, which he celebrated on February 1 with 
his family.
  Frank Buckles was dedicated to serving his country at all cost. He 
enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was only 16 years old. Throughout the 
Great War, Mr. Buckles proved himself to be a brave soldier. He served 
on the RMS Carpathia, drove ambulances and motorcycles in France and 
England, and escorted prisoners of war back to Germany.
  Mr. Buckles lived to see our country at war several more times in his 
life. He even survived as a prisoner of war during World War II. He had 
been captured while working for a shipping company in the Philippines.
  As a soldier and as a civilian, Mr. Buckles lived a life defined by 
hard work, love of country, and a sense of duty to his fellow citizens. 
His passing marks the loss of a generation that shared those same 
values, a generation

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that built America into the country it is today. My thoughts go out to 
his family.
  It is also important we recognize that Mr. Buckles' death is an 
important moment for all of America. Our country should come together 
to honor Mr. Buckles and an entire generation that has done so much to 
build a world where democracy and freedom are celebrated values. This 
is the reason that I cosponsor, with my colleague from West Virginia, 
Senator Rockefeller, a resolution I hope our colleagues will support 
unanimously, to allow this last in a generation of heroes to be 
recognized by the Congress of the United States, either in a service or 
by lying in honor in the Rotunda, a privilege that is held for very few 
but one that I think rises to the occasion of the last hero of a 
generation, an individual and a generation that played such a part in 
the values of this country. We will have an opportunity to celebrate 
the life of this man, but, more importantly, to cherish the fruits of 
his commitment to those freedoms and those liberties that are protected 
still today.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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