Mountains to independence salute WWI vet

By Journal staff | Saturday, July 05, 2008

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In his 107 years, Frank Buckles has seen Europe, worked in Canada, lived in New York and traveled to South America.

He got to see the four faces of Mount Rushmore for the first time on Thursday.

"I'm very much impressed," Buckles said at ceremonies honoring him at the national memorial.

On Independence Day, he also was honored at Crazy Horse Memorial. He received a hard hat autographed by the crew and saw a 600-ton blast on the carving dedicated to the independent spirit of Native Americans.

"Of all the things I've seen and experienced in this world, my trip to Crazy Horse Memorial was one of the highlights of my long life," he said.

Buckles is the last living American-born veteran of World War I.

At Mount Rushmore, he received an American flag, folded military style before a packed amphitheater, from Capt. Paul Hubentham and Airman 1st Class Dane McMillian, both of Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado.

Buckles said he found the presentation humbling.

"I'm honored, because I realize that I'm accepting the honor of being a World War 1 vet," he said. "I knew somebody had to be the last one. It just turned out to be me."

He served as an infantry ambulance driver in Europe during the war. He was 16.

Ninety-one years later, Buckles said, he exercises regularly, even though he has had trouble walking in recent years. He says to live a long life, people need to make an effort to live.

"You must have a desire to live," he said. "Always keep busy, but you don't have to be in a hurry."