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Over There -

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SoupNazzi

- and Gone Forever.

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Meet Frank Buckles. He is the last American to have served in France in WW I. Last. One.

There are two other veterans who served during WW I, but both of them were in Basic Training when the war ended. Frank served in France. He is currently 106 years old.

This is it folks. Once he, and the other two veterans pass, WW I will pass from History that we can hear from those that were there, to History that we can only read in books.

The more I think about it, and read different articles, I have to say that WW I is joining The Korean War, as "Forgotten Wars". WWI sits between The Civil War and WW II, both of which seem to eclipse WWI in rich history and tragic stories.

Maybe that is how wars go... in cycles. Let's see if I can set the cycle up.

Revolutionary War - Deep meaning and History for Nation.
War of 1812 - Not so much. Important war, but not a major influence in History books.
Civil War - Deep meaning and History for Nation.
WW I - Not so much. Again, important war, but not a major influence in History books.
WW II - Deep meaning and History for Nation.
Korean War - Not so much. A "forgotten war".
Vietnam War - Deep meaning culturally for our Nation.
Gulf War I - An important war, but it's shortness cuts down the meaning it meant to Vietnam Vets
Gulf War II - Again, deep meaning for our nation, as this war currently is splitting this country.

Granted, there are various smaller engagements throughout history, but these represent the major pit stops in history (for America).

Back to Frank.

I was reading this article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/opinion/12rubin.html?ex=1352610000&en=0b48269b87d4c935&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink



and it just struck me as sad. These are people who helped shape our world. They weren't the major decision makers, but they were the tools those decision makers used to make / force change. These are the people who are not only a part of History, but they experienced it first hand.

Anyways, I know that Veteran's Day has passed, but just remember next time that you see your Grandfather, Father, Mother, etc... who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf Wars I & II, to give them a hug, as these folks are not just a footnote in History.


Comments (9)

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ATC_1982·
Nice article
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Devonsangel·
If you really look at the history, the conclusions from each war has a major influence in the next. For instance, the decisions made after WWI could be \"blamed\" for the rise of Hitler and WWII.
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SoupNazzi·
Well, I guess I didn't explain myself well enough.\r \r When I meant \"not a major influence\" I didn't mean that the war wasn't a major influence in history. \r \r Just that it doesn't seem to be a major influence in history books and what we learn in grade school.
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Onesimos·
Part of the \"Forgotten War\" syndrome could be from it being only reffered to as the Korean Conflict. It seems somewhat belittling of the men that served there.
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MikeTheKnife·
A few years ago I picked up a WWI history book and read it cover to cover--I was surprised at how much I didn't know about that war. You are definitely right about it not being a major influence in school or history books.
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Devonsangel·
@Soup, I knew what you meant. Just making a comment\r
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codemonkey·
I'd ask my grandfather but he passed before I was born. He served in World War II and stormed the beaches of Normandy with his two brothers, all three survived the war.\r \r Oddly now, the only thing I have to remember his time there is a folded Nazi Flag, a Luger, Decorated Officers Dagger from the Luftwaffe, helmet and a few other things he managed to get back here.\r \r Yet, he never would tell us how he got them. He always told my dad he won them in a card game :-)\r \r Ironically, Hitler served in the first world war, and you can get his opinions of it in Mein Kampf (it's a hard read though, but interesting if you can get through it all without putting it down).\r \r Those that were there often don't 'want' to remember it. Here we are years later asking for all the information we can get from them and the last thing many want is to re-live the event.\r \r Some things are best left out of the history books I guess.
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MTK005·
Just so you know, there is a growing movement is the historical field to merge WWI and WWII. The causes of WWII are so intrinsically linked to WWI that someday (thugh not in our lifetime) historians are likely to merge both into one war with an intermssion.\r \r for example, look at the wars between the greeks and persians to see how many smaller wars are now linked as one longer, larger conflict. Or even the hundred years war in the 13/1400's, which was at the time seen as a bunch of smaller conflicts.
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M13a77·
Soup, Good post. We really need to take the time to remember those who served this country in the past. If we fail to do so they will all slip into the \"history books\" just like those forgotten wars.