Congress blocks ceremony for vet; Remains of last US World War I soldier will not lie in Capitol

Associated Press ^ | 03/04/2011 | Alan Fram

[RobertClark]

West Virginia's two Democratic senators blamed House Speaker John Boehner on Thursday after their hopes of having the remains of World War I veteran Frank Buckles honored in the Capitol Rotunda were dashed, at least for now.

Excerpt due to AP

[BykrBayb]

As the last surviving WWI veteran, he became the symbolic representation of all those who went before him. He should be honored in a way that honors all WWI vets, not because he alone deserves it, but because they all do.

[FreedomNotSafety]

I perused this: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/eligib.htm and cannot see how he is eligible except for a law passed by Congress.

If the above is correct then I cannot see how or why this person would merit this privilege any more than the the 100s of 1000s of honorable vets who are not there.

I have relatives who are decorated vets of WWII and most of them are not eligible. Two of them have Purple Hearts and they have said getting shot wasn't reason enough to be buried there.

I am willing to bet that this man if asked would have said he should not be buried there.

Maybe Arlington should go back to the original and only qualification.

[fightinJAG]

Rather than having a kneejerk reaction to this, why not spend a second thinking about the other side of the argument. This isn’t exactly the best time in history to be opening the Capitol to the public for an event that, unfortunately, has political overturns. Not to mention the recent ruling on the inability to limit, entirely, protests at funerals.

Would it really be a good idea to take this risk and have it turn out to be a nightmare instead of a solemn honor? And do we have the info that they have on the Capitol about these types of security issues right now?

I’m not saying the decision was well-founded. I don’t know that. But I sure as Hell’s Bells know it can be mighty dumb to have kneejerk reactions of “disgust” when all the facts, and risks, are not known.

I say let’s focus on honoring our vets. We can do that without this particular ceremony.

[RobertClark]

As the last surviving WWI veteran, he became the symbolic representation of all those who went before him. He should be honored in a way that honors all WWI vets, not because he alone deserves it, but because they all do.

Well stated. My thoughts exactly.

[saganite]

My mistake. He didn’t serve in combat.

[j-damn]

*Rather than having a kneejerk reaction to this, why not spend a second thinking about the other side of the argument.*

You’re really asking a lot for most Freepers. They see ‘veteran’ and ‘Congress’ in a sentence and their mind is automatically made up.

For the record, I think this is a foolish idea. If people want to commemorate all the doughboys, how about ensuring the monuments & memorials to the Great War are properly upkept and renovated first.

[PaultheMan]

As the last surviving WWI veteran, he became the symbolic representation of all those who went before him. He should be honored in a way that honors all WWI vets, not because he alone deserves it, but because they all do. Add me to the list who agree 100% with this sentiment. Cpl Buckles is a symbol of all of those who served in "the Great War" and who have gone before him. He should be honored, not only for his own personal contribution, but because he was the last living representative of an entire generation (or two) of doughboys who served their country.

[fireforeffect]

I agree wit the sentiment, but who is going to pay for it?

When do we stop? Last Dominican Marine, last Russian Intervention survivor, last Honduran Occupation Marine, last China Marine, last WW2 Vet, Last Greece MAC vet, last Korea vet, last Vietnam vet, last Desert One survivor, last Grenada vet, last Beirut Marine, last Panama vet, last Desert Storm vet, last Bosnia participant, last Somalia vet, last GWOT vet, or last Democrat Senator?

[BykrBayb]

Maybe Arlington should go back to the original and only qualification.

That you had to have lived in Arlington House? Or are you thinking of some time later?

[tanknetter]

Ahem, the symbolic representative of all WWI servicemen is the soldier known but to God who is interred in The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington.

However, I think that as the last surviving Doughboy, Mr Buckles deserves the honor of laying in state as a means of tying current generations to our past.

[BykrBayb]

Wow, is that really how kids today see the first world war? Way to trivialize it.

[Dawgreg]

I’m with you on that.

[BykrBayb]

You're right. I apologize for my rude oversight.

He is not the symbolic representation, but he is symbolically representative. His funeral, and his final resting place, will make an unspoken statement about our recognition of all vets, especially those who served during WWI.

[fightinJAG]

I agree.

And it’s worthwhile to speak up sometimes.

[fireforeffect]

Both my Grand Fathers served in WW1. My Father, one Aunt, and two Great Uncles served in WW2. Two Uncles served during Korea. A Cousin went to Vietnam. I have been to Afghanistan. I have ancestors who participated in the unpleasantness in the 1860s, on both sides. I have ancestors who fought in the War with Mexico, the war of 1812, and the Revolution. I have ancestors that came over on the Mayflower and some others who might have greeted them upon arrival. I am not trivializing this veteran's service.

If we are going to do this, let us make it a full celebration of ALL those who served in WW1. Not just this individual.

But then, Where do we stop? Now everyone will expect a celebration. To paraphrase James Madison (the guy who wrote the Constitution), there is nothing in the Constitution that authorizes congress to appropriate money for this.

When the fund starts I will send twenty bucks, just like I did for the WW2 memorial and the Cruiser Olympia.

[ANGGAPO]

Well said, he deserves it.

[FreedomNotSafety]

Check the first law listed on the web page I gave the link for.

[Richard Kimball]

One thing slyly slipped in by AP is that both Boehner AND Harry Reid had to agree to it. There's no indication that Reid agreed to it in the story, but the Democrats attacked Boehner. It said that Reid and Boehner were seeking to have Buckles honored at Arlington National Cemetery. Apparently, Reid hasn't signed off on this, either.

This sounds to me like a situation where the standard honor for a deceased veteran of distinction was offered. Having someone lie in state at the National capitol undoubtedly would greatly increase the security and personnel costs. Only thirty people have been in state at the national capitol since the practice began. While people may disagree on whether Buckles should have this particular honor, being buried at Arlington with full military honors is hardly dissing him.

[NYFreeper]

Now, I am not saying that she should or should not have been given this honor, but if Rosa Parks received this honor, there should be no question that Frank Buckles should be honored too.