[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2897-2898]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING FRANK BUCKLES

  (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Mr. Frank Buckles, the sole surviving U.S. World War I veteran who 
passed away on Sunday at the age of 110 in his hometown of Charles 
Town, West Virginia. Inspired by his love of his country and a desire 
to serve, Frank entered the Army at the age of 16. He served in England 
and France during the war, first as a car and ambulance driver, and 
later as an escort for returning German POWs.
  During World War II, he was held as a prisoner of war in the 
Philippines for

[[Page 2898]]

39 months. He has been recognized as a true American patriot and 
awarded numerous medals. I have met Frank on several occasions. He was 
a constituent of my district, and I was always inspired by his sense of 
humility and hope.
  He represents the very best of this country: service, determination, 
and patriotism. He has lived through some of the most historic events 
in our American history, from the Great Depression to two world wars, 
to the invention of the Internet, reminding us of the immense progress, 
yet change, that we have seen in this Nation.
  For years, Frank had dedicated his life to ensuring his fellow 
doughboys received proper national recognition. I hope this Congress 
will honor the legacy of Frank Buckles and the legacy of all those who 
fought in the War to End All Wars by paying tribute to them with a 
national memorial. Let Frank's legacy remind us of the service and 
sacrifice all veterans make in the name of protecting America and all 
for which she stands.
  Our thoughts and prayers go to the Buckles family.

                          ____________________