Congress of the United States
‘Washington, DE 20515
March 8, 2011
Secretary Robert M. Gates
Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Mr. Secretary:
With the recent passing of Frank W. Buckles of West Virginia, the last surviving American to
have served during the First World War, America has lost its final living connection to a war that
saw our nation emerge as the world’s preeminent defender of liberty and democratic values.
Between 1916 and 1918, more than 116,000 Americans gave their lives — and an additional
200,000 suffered injury — on the battlefields of Western Europe and on the high seas. The loss of
Frank Buckles provides an opportunity for every American to pause and reflect on the sacrifices
his entire generation made to secure the blessings of freedom,
To this end, we respectfully request, in addition to his interment in Arlington Cemetery, that the
remains of Corporal Frank Buckles, U.S. Army, August 1917-January 1920, be allowed to lie in
honor for a period of time in the cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater.
On November 11, 1921, at a ceremony marking the burial of the Unknown Soldier from the First
World War, President Warren G. Harding said, “Standing today on hallowed ground, conscious
that all America has halted to share in the tribute of heart and mind and soul to this fellow-
American, and knowing that the world is noting this expression of the republic's mindfulness, it
is fitting to say that his sacrifice, and that of millions dead, shall not be in vain.”
Like the Unknown Soldier buried that day in 1921, Frank Buckles answered the call of duty to
defend his country. He loved America and was assured of its ultimate victory. His contributions
and sacrifice on behalf of the Republic mark him as true patriot worthy of the hallowed grounds
of Arlington,
Sincerely,
O Baekeo
John A. Bochner
Speaker of the House
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