Saint Patrick's Day Earring - Homemade!

I wanted to wear a Saint Patrick's Day earring today. As some of you know, I keep my ties in theme and I do the same with earrings. I went to a couple dollar stores recently and I could not find any earrings so I had an idea to make one. I saw a necklace with a clover on it and it looked like it could be easily attached to a post or a chain link so I set out to find one ... in silver. I found a gold set of earrings and I would have taken it if I could not find a silver set. Mere seconds later, I found a silver set. I took the necklace and one of the earrings apart and combined the necessary pieces creating my very own homemade earring for Saint Patrick's Day! Cost - two dollars. I hope you like it. Here are a video and a few pictures of the craft project ...



The items as they were purchased:


Here you can see how they were combined for the finished product:


I am very proud of this accomplishment, hahaha!!

This is a screen shot from the video:

Frank Buckles' Viewing And Funeral At Arlington National Cemetery

March 15, 2011 will always be a day of great significance because it is the day the United States Of America said farewell to its last surviving Great War Veteran. I attended both Frank Buckles' viewing at Joseph Gawler's Sons funeral parlor in Washington, DC on Sunday, March 13, and his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia yesterday. I would not have missed either for the world. As I told his daughter Susannah, I "had to" be present at this ceremony. In addition to Susannah, I also spoke with family spokesperson David DeJonge (whom I had only conversed with via electronic mail and telephone prior to that point) and West Virginia Senator Jim Manchin.

This flyer was at the information desk:


The screen in the Visitors Center showed a live view of the casket in the Memorial Amphitheater Chapel:


Frank Buckles' casket in the Memorial Amphitheater Chapel ...

Changing of the Old Guard:







This short video clip shows Frank Buckles Lying In Honor. A member of the Old Guard 3rd Infantry Regiment is standing close by.


A Flag flying at half-staff on the Cemetery grounds:


The next group of photographs shows the burial area prior to the arrival of the media, the mourners and the horse-drawn Caisson ...










Three Wreaths were placed by the grave area. The first, sent by the French government has "LAFAYETTE We Are Here!" printed on it, the second sent by Frank Buckles' daughter has "Papa" printed on it and the third has printed "MILITARY ORDER OF WORLD WARS" sent by the organization of the same name.


The temporary grave markers for Frank Buckles and his late wife Audrey:


The grave to the right is the resting place of General John "Black Jack" Pershing, United States Army Commander in World War I. Frank Buckles expressed an interest in being buried near him. You can see the burial area in the background to the left of the pine tree.



A plaque nearby:


Members of Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard Riders can be seen approaching ...






The arrival and the beginning of the service ...









The gravestone seen in the next three pictures is for a different Frank ... Frank Dumick, another Great War Veteran ...




Here is a final view of the casket - the last time it could be viewed above ground. To the right you will see a Native American medicine pack burning. It was placed on the casket by a member of the Blackfeet Warrior Society.


This video shows the burial ceremony in various stages. First, the burial area is shown prior to the arrival of the Caisson and the mourners. The funeral parade featuring the casket, seven horses and the Old Guard is next. This is followed by the raising of the American Flag and a reading. Finally the band is seen and heard performing "Taps" and "America The Beautiful".


This was an extremely significant event in American History and I consider myself fortunate that I could be present. All of us in attendance were lucky - it was supposed to rain at 3:00 PM and it did not start raining until after 5:00 PM when the ceremony was over, but I would have stayed out there in the pouring rain if I had to ... suit and all!!

On the drive home, I stopped at a rest area in Maryland. You will note the Flags are in the half-staff position:


I also stopped at a rest area in Delaware. Here the Flags were not flown half-staff (although rest areas may be exempt):


This concludes the photo and video coverage of the day. I will always remember this farewell ceremony just as I will always remember the time I spent with Frank Woodruff Buckles on the 25th day of January back in 2009. Both days will forever have a special place in my heart and I do look forward to visiting his grave in the very near future.

Thank you Corporal Frank Buckles for your service to this nation. It was a profound honor to have met you, it was a profound honor to be present at your viewing and funeral and it was a profound honor to be able to salute you one final time in your presence. I consider myself quite fortunate to have experienced all of the aforementioned. I will never forget you. Goodbye my friend, Michael

Two Viewings Have Been Scheduled For Frank Woodruff Buckles While The Capitol Rotunda Proposal Was Categorically Denied

We finally have the U.S. government's decision on how to "honor" Frank Woodruff Buckles. The Capitol Rotunda proposal did not even make it to a vote. Absolutely disgraceful. This will ultimately be a stain on the United States Of America's record forever. Future generations will view this atrocious decision as utterly shameful. Apparently, politicians from both major parties see no gain in commemorating the sacrifices of the Great War Veterans so they will not bother to organize a state tribute. This refusal is an opportunity thrown away ... an opportunity we will never have again. An enormous number of young Americans were introduced to World War I by being contemporaries of Frank Buckles and hearing about his passing. This introduction could have been supplemented by an official ceremony where the public could participate in paying tribute to the entirety of America's Veterans of the First World War.

Two viewings have been scheduled for Frank Buckles: one at Joseph Gawler's Sons Chapel on Sunday and Monday and one at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday. The public may attend both. These three days comprise our only chance to pay our respects and say farewell to the last of America's World War I Veterans. I will be driving to Washington, DC and Virginia on Sunday and Tuesday respectively.

Links with information:

http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=19314

http://wvgazette.com/News/201103111525

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Frank-Buckles&lc=2216&pid=149063452&mid=4581823&locale=en-US

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Visitation-for-Last-Surviving-WWI-Vet-Begins-Sunday-117829743.html

Jonathan Sandys, Winston Churchill's Great-Grandson, Supports Capitol Rotunda Ceremony For Frank Buckles While Arlington Funeral Leaves Americans Out

The controversy concerning how Frank Buckles will be honored, if one can even use the word honored at this point, has taken yet another preposterous turn. The date has been set for Frank Buckles' funeral at Arlington Cemetery (Tuesday March 15 at 4 P.M.), but so far only family members and friends may attend. As of right now, the U.S. government is not allowing the American people to pay their respects to Frank Buckles and the entire World War I Generation. According to David DeJonge, Frank Buckles' photographer and spokesperson, there is still uncertainty as to who may attend. Arlington Cemetery is as secretive and aloof about the burial ceremony as John Boehner and Harry Reid are about denying Frank Buckles the opportunity to Lie In Honor at the Capitol Rotunda. This article describes the current situation: http://wvgazette.com/News/201103101151

Jonathan Sandys, great-grandson of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, has weighed in on the matter accurately describing it as "disgraceful" and "shameful". He released an "urgent statement" to United States President Barack Obama calling on him to "personally intervene immediately" and allow Frank Buckles to Lie In Honor. Here is the full press release: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/AN-URGENT-STATEMENT-FROM-WINSTON-CHURCHILL-RELATIVE-ON-FRANK-BUCKLES.html?soid=1103274555229&aid=R77pON5qrng I consider Jonathan's involvement to be very incredible. He has more drive and motivation than most Americans. It is appreciated.

A petition for those who support the Capitol Rotunda initiative was created and can be found at this url - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/frankbuckleslieinhonor

While working on this particular blog entry, I discovered some new, but not Earth-shattering, information. This article - http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-frank-buckles-last-wwi-vet-to-be-buried-in-arlington-service-20110310,0,6252810.story?track=rss - claims Frank Buckles will Lie In Honor at Arlington Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater on March 15 from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M., but it too does not specify whether the public may attend. It only mentions a memorial service for local West Virginia residents that will take place one day later. Will local status be strictly enforced???

This is all I have for now. I will keep everyone abreast of any new developments pertaining to this ongoing (and unfortunate) saga.

I Believe Frank Buckles Should Lie In Honor At The Capitol Rotunda

There is a very unfortunate controversy taking place pertaining to the ceremony to honor the life and Veteran status of Frank Woodruff Buckles, America's Last Survivor of World War I. I, like many others, believe Frank Buckles should Lie In Honor at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. Other people, specifically John Boehner and Harry Reid, disagree. There are both Democrats and Republicans who believe this should happen and there are both Democrats and Republicans who believe this should not happen so this is not a partisan issue. Some opponents state this will create a negative precedent. I disagree - this is a very positive precedent that should be set. Allowing Frank Buckles to Lie In Honor would open the door to all future Last Survivors of America's conflicts (World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq).



This is what I have been e-mailing or saying on the telephone (for the most part):
"Good afternoon. My name is Michael. I called this morning in reference to the subject of Frank Woodruff Buckles Lying In Honor in the Capitol Rotunda and I am following up with this e-mail message. I fully support the initiative to allow Frank Buckles to Lie In Honor. I visited America's Last World War I Veteran at his home two years ago and it was a very extraordinary experience ... one that I will always remember and cherish. Allowing the Capitol Rotunda to be used would provide the American people with a very unique opportunity to pay tribute to and say farewell to Frank Buckles and all of this country's Great War Veterans. If approved, I would certainly make the trek to Washington, DC. In no way would I forsake the opportunity to participate in such an important moment in our nation's history. Thank you for your time. Michael"

These are the people to contact ...

1.) Leaders (these are the two people blocking the initiative):
John Boehner 202-225-6205
Harry Reid 202-224-3542

2.) The Senators and Congresspeople from your respective states!!!

3.) West Virginia (to show support):
Jay Rockefeller 304-347-5372
Joe Manchin 202-224-3954
Shelley Moore Capito 304-925-5964

Thank you everyone. This is a very noble cause. All help is appreciated.

Claude Choules Turned 110 On March 3, 2011

Claude Choules, British World War I Veteran currently living in Australia and the absolute last surviving man to have served in the Great War, turned 110 on Thursday, March 3, 2011. Claude is the last person alive to have seen action in both World Wars: he was a seaman who witnessed the surrender of the German Imperial Navy and the scuttling of the German fleet in World War I and he was the Acting Torpedo Officer and Chief Demolition Officer whose tasks included diffusing mines in World War II. He served in both the British Royal Navy and the Australian Navy. He is currently blind and near deaf and no longer grants interviews.

Here is an interview with Claude from 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npTBuJdiqoc

An article:
http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-australias-last-wwi-veteran-turns-110-today-20110303,0,1010484.story?track=rss

Another article which states he had THREE pieces of cake on his birthday!!! That's a party I needed to go to!
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/veteran-the-last-man-standing-at-110/story-e6frg6nf-1226015595074

My Tribute To Frank Woodruff Buckles

Ladies and gentlemen: The United States Of America has lost its sole surviving Veteran of World War I. The Last of the Doughboys went on his Final March. Frank Woodruff Buckles passed away in the early morning of February 27, 2011. Although I have been posting various tributes and messages for Frank Buckles since February 28, I wanted to give myself time to create an appropriate tribute to him via video.

As some of you know, I met Frank Buckles back in 2009. In this video I discuss what occurred on that day from speaking German to Frank Buckles to his daughter Susannah telling me I "look like a Founding Father" to working out to artifacts to Megaliths to, of course, the two World Wars. I will always cherish the time I spent with him and in the future, when I think back to our meeting, I will always remember it with a smile.



By the way, I forgot to mention when he told me he went to England on the Carpathia, the ship that rescued survivors of the Titanic in 1912, I told him there was still one Titanic survivor living (Millvina Dean).

Here are my blog entries pertaining to Frank Buckles over the last three years:
http://michaeltheresearcher.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-108th-birthday-to-frank-woodruff.html
http://michaeltheresearcher.blogspot.com/2010/11/veterans-day-2010-and-importance-of.html
http://michaeltheresearcher.blogspot.com/2011/02/frank-woodruff-buckles-americas-last.html

Let us all give a very hearty salute to Frank Buckles and all of America's Great War Veterans!!