Remembering The Last Remaining World War I Veterans

Lisa Hoffman from Scripps Howard News Service has a list of the last remaining World War I veterans still living. On Veterans Day, it is a good time to stop and remember the sacrifices that were made for us, from the soldiers of the World Wars, to Vietnam, Korea, and our battles in the Gulf.

They have made the sacrifice for us to live like we do and we are forever indebted to their heritage and commitment to freedom.

We have excerpted a few of the soldiers from World War I who are still alive, but read the list, it is captivating.

• Frank Buckles, 105, lives near Charles Town, W.Va. Lied about his age to join the Army, served in ambulance service in France in 1917-1918. Caught Gen. John Pershing’s eye with his dapper appearance. In World War II, was imprisoned for more than three years in a Japanese POW camp. Still runs his 330-acre farm and lives largely on his own.
• Antonio Pierro, 110, lives in Swampscott, Mass. Four years after he immigrated from Forenza, Italy, he enlisted and fought in the brutal Argonne offensive in France, which saw 1,000 U.S. casualties a day but was pivotal in pushing back the Germans and boosting Allied morale. Drove a horse and wagon to the front to bring supplies and take back bodies. After the war, did research and development at a General Electric plant. Says exercise, hard work and lots of rest are his secrets to longevity.
• Howard Ramsey, 108, lives in Portland, Ore. So determined to enlist, he stuffed himself with bananas to gain enough weight to pass muster. A skilled driver at a time when motor vehicles were few, he brought fresh water to the troops in the trenches, and later transferred decomposing war casualties from temporary graves to permanent resting places. After the war, became a telephone engineer. Tried to enlist in World War II, but his civilian work was considered too essential to take him from the home front.

Read the rest of the stories of these fine men and woman on Veterans Day.