"And Then There Was One” Kenneth Riege

“And Then There Was One”

Frank Woodruff Buckles “Pershing’s Last Patriot”

By Ken Riege USAF 1985 – 1993

Frank Woodruff Buckles (born Wood Buckles, but later changed his name to Frank Woodruff Buckles upon joining the Army on 14 Aug 1917 at the ripe old age of 16 years-old) was America’s last surviving veteran of what was then called “The Great War” or the “War to end all Wars.” He volunteered to drive an ambulance, as he was told this was the quickest way to the front lines.

Mr. Buckles earned the title of “Pershing’s Last Patriot” from a dear friend of his and his official biographer, Mr. David DeJonge. Mr. DeJonge is a photographer and documentary film maker who had become very interested in how many survivors there were from WW1. This is how I became aware of Mr. DeJonge and Mr. Buckles. I too am very interested in the history of WW1 because my grandfather, Paul Emerson Riege, and his brother, my great uncle, Otto Garfield Riege, both fought in WW1. When I first heard of “Pershing’s Last Patriot,” I had to find out more and reached out to Mr. DeJonge. After a few years of emailing back and forth and unfortunately Mr. Buckles passing, Mr. DeJonge traveled to Gallup in 2014 and showed his (at that time not completely finished) documentary film, “Pershing’s Last Patriot.” For more information on this film and on how to purchase a copy for yourself, please visit: http://www.survivorquest.net/pershings-last-patriotdvd/pershings-last-patriot-dvd

Longevity seems to be the norm in Mr. Buckles family as he had several family members who lived very long lives including his father who lived to be 94. Military service was also a common tradition in the Buckles family as his ancestry included soldiers from both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

However, Frank was lucky to have survived childhood, as he and his brother, Ashman, contracted scarlet fever in 1903. Sadly, Ashman died at the age of four.

Frank Buckles drove an ambulance and motorcycles for the Army’s 1st Fort Riley Casual Detachment, first in England and then in France. He later recalled his service as a young doughboy: “There was never a shortage of bodies that needed to be rushed to the nearest medical care. The British and French troops were in bad shape and even guys my age looked old and tired. The Brits and French were sure happy to see us doughboys, ever last one of us. Of course us Yanks believe we’d wrap this thing up in a few months and be back home before harvest. You know we were the

typical, cocky Americans that no one wants around, that is until they need help winning a war.”

Mr. Buckles would not only be involved in WW1, but also WW2. Mr. Buckles was employed by the White Star shipping company, and in 1940, the shipping business took him to Manila in the Philippines. Of course after the outbreak of War in the Pacific and the invasion of the Philippines, he remained in Manila to help resupply US Troops and was captured in January 1942 by Japanese forces and spent the next three years and two months as a civilian POW in the Santo Tomas and Los Banos prison camps.

After his release and the end of WW2, Mr. Buckles moved to San Francisco and married Audrey Mayo in 1946. They moved to West Virginia, where ancestors named Buckles had settled centuries earlier. In 1955 their only child, Susannah, was born. Sadly in 1999 his beloved wife, Audrey, passed and his daughter moved back to care for him and the farm.

So one would think after such a long life it would be time to take it easy, well that wasn’t in the cards for Mr. Frank Buckles. He was still driving his tractor at the age of 103, and on Veterans Day 2007, he did an interview with The Washington Post. He was asked why he had served and his response was: “If your country needs you, you should be right there, that is how I felt then and this is how I still feel today.” Of course Mr. Buckles also has a great sense of humor. Whenever he was asked the secret of long life, he would simply reply, “When you feel like you are starting to die…don’t.” He would also credit genetics, exercise, and a healthy diet, but to always put “The will to survive” above everything else.

On 27 February 2011, Mr. Frank Woodruff Buckles received his final orders to his final duty station. He was 110 years young. President Barack Obama ordered that all American Flags flown on government buildings including the White House and all US Embassies to be flown at half-staff. Mr. Frank Buckles was laid to rest on 15 March 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery.

He was laid to rest in Section 34-581 near the General of the Armies John J. Pershing. Reporter Paul Duggan of the Washington Post best summed up the occasion by writing: “The hallowed ritual at grave No. 34-581 was not a farewell to one man along. A reverent crowd of the powerful and the ordinary—President Obama and Vice President Biden, along with laborers and store clerks, heads bowed—came to salute Buckles’ deceased generation, the vanished millions of soldiers, Marines, and sailors he came to symbolize in the end.

With the passing of Mr. Frank Buckles, WW1 had now moved from memory to history. There would be no one left from the United States who could recall what happened “Over There.”

It would have been a great honor to have meet Mr. Buckles, and I know someday I will, and at that point, I will thank him for his continued mission to bring such great honor to the over 4 million Americans who served during WW1 and gave so much in the defense of our freedom.

This month’s Medal of Honor Quote (actually I have two) comes from the most decorated hero of WW1, Sgt. Alvin C. York. The first one is more of a statement from Sgt. York when he reported to Brigadier General Lindsey. General Lindsey stated, “Well York, I hear you have captured the whole damned German Army, which Sgt. York replied, I only had 132.” The actual quote that I wanted to share from Sgt. York is this: “When you have God behind you, you can come out on top every time.”

Pulley Poem

By Sean Pulley

It was cold I was very bold. Christmas was around the corner Now I am

a new owner.

The air was nice you look like rice. There’s a pig with a wig. It snowed Now you’re a Todd. There’s a snowman

By Roxanne Newood

Circa 1985 at the Hard Rock turnoff that leads to Big Mountain, one of many communities on Black Mesa, AZ, that underwent mass forced evictions and relocation of over 20,000 Navajos. The sign was removed after 1999 when the “Accommodation Agreement” was signed by Diné (Navajos) deemed “eligible” to sign the 75-year lease contract.

Submitted By Mervyn Tilden

Redrock Balloon Rally By Daniel Ensign By Kathleen Hiesch

By Jay John

Electric Dreams

By Mervyn Tilden

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Because underneath my pillow I hear screams as I lay down to Electric Dreams.

Through winding tunnels into Dreamscape, Where all time is one never running late, Sinking down into R.E.M., going back again, I’m toeing a line that’s getting real thin. To the spirit world through a Wormhole, Traveling faster than a U.F.O. Daydreams, Sweet Dreams and Nightmares for sure, Revealed past, present and distant future.

On Golden Shores I have stood, In Dark Alleys I have walked, In Dimension Five I saw, UnEarthly Beings with whom I talked.

By Gateway Guardians in the Night, Through Pylons in the Air, Purple beyond Purple Eyesight, Like Visions from an Electric Chair.

SHOCK KING!

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Underneath the pillow I still hear screams, As I lay down to Electric Dreams…

By Susan Krymnowski

Cedar Lip Gloss By Sage Addington

39th Annual Red Rock Balloon Rally Thank you to our sponsors!

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Gallup Propane Service, Inc.

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“CRUSH”

By Alexandria Patterson

When I first felt something for you, I thought, “WOW!” But when I told you how I felt, you said, “NO.” Then, “OW!” This feeling for you hasn’t gone away. STILL, I don’t know why I’m feeling this way. One glance at you I’m right back at the start, But I remind myself of your answer, the answer that broke my heart.

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