[knewheart]

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Frank Woodruff Buckles is about to get another feather in his cap, this time from Congress.

Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole are scheduled to honor the 107-year-old Jefferson County resident and last-known surviving U.S. World War I veteran today at the U.S. Capitol, according to officials with Rockefeller’s and Byrd’s offices.

The event will start at 2 p.m. in the LBJ Room, according to a news release from Byrd’s office.


Buckles also will be presented with an American flag that flew over the Capitol on Flag Day, Byrd’s office said.

Buckles, who lives at his Gap View Farm along old W.Va. 9 just west of Charles Town, was one of more than 2 million U.S. military members sent overseas to fight in World War I.

Since becoming the only known surviving American World War I veteran, Buckles has been honored at various events, including ceremonies March 6 when he was honored at the Pentagon and the White House. He is giving about an interview a day, according to family members.

Gov. Joe Manchin recently honored Buckles by naming a section of the new four-lane W.Va. 9 after him.

Buckles joined the Army at 15, and was an ambulance driver in France and England.