Bill Would Allow Use of Capitol Rotunda for Honoring CeremonyToday, Mark Udall announced that he co-sponsored, along with Senator John Rockefeller, a resolution to authorize the use of the Capitol rotunda for a ceremony honoring Frank Buckles, the last surviving veteran of World War I. Buckles died on Feb. 27, 2011, at the age of 110.
“Frank Buckles was our last surviving link to World War I and an esteemed witness to how the world has changed, from his generation to ours,” Udall said. “He never stopped advocating for his fellow veterans, and we in turn should celebrate his life and honor his service.”
Udall met Buckles in Washington , D.C. , in 2009. Buckles testified at a Senate National Parks Subcommittee hearing to discuss refurbishing the D.C. War Memorial and rededicating it as the National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial to honor the sacrifices of WWI veterans. A West Virginia farmer, Buckles was 16 when he joined the Army and served as a driver in England and France . Buckles became the last known American survivor of WWI in 2008. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery .
