Posted on 11/08/2011 7:32:26 PM PST by NEWwoman
It happened almost a hundred years ago - the Great War, the World War - now known as World War One, as there would be more than one great world war in the 20th century. For many of us, our great grandparents, grandparents, and even parents may have fought in this war. To all of us still living, the Great War seems like ancient history.
Volumes were written about this war, which H.G. Wells called - "The War That Will End War." For a summary, below is a brief history of the First World War:
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The "armistice" to end the war took effect on November 11, 1918 - at the 11th hour of 11th day of 11th month. And became known as - Armistice Day ... later Veteran's Day.
.... 11/11/11 ....
But this year - 2011 - marks a milestone as the the last of the World War One veterans have passed away.
Frank Buckles
The last living U.S. World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, passed away in February this year at the age of 110 - his story. He served in both World Wars. During WW1, he was an ambulance driver. In WW2, he was a POW, captured by the Japanese.
...
Claude 'Chuckles' Choules
The last of the front line World War One veterans, Claude 'Chuckles' Choules, passed away in May this year, also at the age of 110 - his story He also served in both World Wars. In WW1, he was a sailor in the Australian Royal Navy; WW2 a demolitions officer in Australia .
May you rest peacefully as your countrymen are grateful for your service to your country as well as your service to all your allies.
For all Veterans, Thank You!
May you all enjoy the Veterans' Homecoming:
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(Excerpt) Read more at smithsk.blogspot.com ...
I echo...........
Rest in peace, Frank Buckles, and Claude Choules. Thank you for your service to your countries and the allies in World War Two as well as World War One.
Rest in peace, Frank Buckles, and Claude Choules.
My Grandfather was in France as a Doughboy under Pershing. He was an immigrant who had been in the country 4 years at the time.
I wish Godspeed to your Grandfather. (and you for making sure we know that!) :^)
My grandfather was also in France during WWI. It was an experience that changed him. PTSD is nothing new. Wish I’d known about it when he was alive, but I was just a kid.
Thanks, he passed away 51 years ago when I was 6. I was his first grandchild and he told the owner of the corner market to have an open account so I could get candy when ever I wanted when I was visiting. This didn’t make my Dad Happy but “Pa’ read him the riot act. Now that I have a grandson I know where he was coming from ;)
I have wondered about that not with my Grandfather but with my Dad, his brothers and friends who all saw combat during WW2. Looking back on it they drank an awful lot(Irish, and although all of them worked and never missed a beat i wondered how much of that was affected by their combat experiences?
Like your grandfather, my grandfather was an immigrant to the US and fought in WW1. He earned his US citizenship that way, I understang. I still have his WW1 dogtags.
I’m thankful for your grandfather’s service.
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