Tribute To Corporal Buckles

A hundred-ten year old soldier was interred in Arlington Cemetery today.
Corporal Frank Woodruff Buckles now sleeps nigh his comrades in sacred clay,
Awaiting that glorious morn when Gabriel's bugle will sound that final call,
To fall in for the last calling of the roll!   Corporal Buckles will be standing tall!

"Taps" was played echoing far beyond the hills of Arlington into the misty past,
Reminding all of brave men who were destined to die or were horribly gassed!
Courageous men who willingly placed national destiny above their very own,
To ensure that our precious and hard-won freedoms would ne'er be overthrown!

Only sixteen, he lied about his age trying to join the navy and marines with no luck,
And was told, "Go home before your Mom knows you're gone, you young buck!"
He told a bigger whopper telling the army recruiter he was all of twenty-one!
The sergeant, looking for warm bodies signed him up, thence the deal was done!

He was promoted to corporal and served with distinction as an ambulance driver.
After serving in France, he was honorably discharged, returning a heroic survivor!
As a civilian he was a prisoner of the Japanese in the Philippines but was kept alive,
And was rescued after three years in Los Banos prison camp in nineteen forty-five.

He proudly represented the 'doughboys' of The Great War as last man standing.
So much, so very much to him we owe for his service was most outstanding!
That venerable symbol of America, the majestic Golden Eagle, cried,
On the day that the old veteran, Corporal Frank Woodruff Buckles died!

(Corporal Buckles, the last American survivor of World War 1, died 27 February 2011, at the age of 110)

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 3/25/2011 4:29:00 AM
Such a respectful detailed story of Corporal Buckles. I thoroughly enjoy learning about WW! and now all of America's walking history books are gone! Rest his soul. Appreciate your patriotism and for tooting the horn of others! Blessings. Gwendolen
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Date: 3/24/2011 8:49:00 AM
Outstanding tribute, Sarge. Very informative. Impressive piece. Nice going. Ralphie
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Date: 3/23/2011 2:04:00 PM
A wonderful dedication,,, Bob H., My heart goes out to the brave soul and his family... Thanks for sharing,, always p.d.
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Date: 3/23/2011 10:34:00 AM
Thanks for the comment, Bob. You really would LOVE "Legends of the Fall." Anthony Hopkins gives a riveting performance as the concerned father of three young men going off to fight. If you haven't seen it, this one is really worth renting! I have seen it at least six times with different people and everyone is awestruck by the tested unity of this Montana rancher's family. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 3/22/2011 2:36:00 PM
Wow, what a long and interesting life this man had, Bob. Even most of the World War II vets are gone now. Corporal Buckles has my admiration for his desire to serve our country. I doubt if anyone who knew him as a young man was even present at the burial service. Did you see "Legends of the Fall"? It's about three brothers who go off to fight in WWI. The older two (Brad Pitt & Aiden Quinn) try to protect the youngest, but he dies in combat. Excellent poem! Love, Carolyn
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Date: 3/22/2011 10:58:00 AM
fine tribute for a brave man, robert... i remember the taps for my dad who was a general who passed on when i was 24... i can so relate--astounding, poignant piece! :) huggs, nette
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Date: 3/22/2011 9:40:00 AM
Great that you wrote a poem about him..His name will go on with the memory through your work..Enjoyed reading this afternoon..Sara
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Date: 3/22/2011 5:50:00 AM
It was a beautiful tribute on TV Bob and the newscasts devoted time to this gentleman who outlived all his constituents in war.. a wonderful write to his utter devotion to his country and appreciate this one especially since my son is in the military luv..thankxx..
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