While we are a fraternal order based upon the events in the United States between 1861 and 1865, we are also an order that remembers our history. We are an order that appreciates the patriotism and dedication shown by so many before us, and this is not limited to the Civil War and it’s events. With this in mind, we would be remiss to not pause and give a silent moment for the passing of the last surviving American veteran of World War I. On 27 February 2011, Frank Buckles went to his final muster call at his home in Charles Town, WV. Mr. Buckles had seen one hundred and ten years of American history and development in his lifetime. When asked in a 2008 interview about being the last American survivor of the conflict, he replied, “I realized that somebody had to be, and it was me.” Of the three total survivors of military duty during the war, Mr. Buckles was the only one to serve overseas, although he was never in battle.
In many ways, Frank Buckles worked for the remembrance of World War I and it’s events in the way that the SUVCW and Allied Orders work to remember the Civil War. We were all taught in school that World War I was “the war to end all wars”. Yet, World War I is largely overshadowed in modern history by the world events that began twenty years later. School children today can cite some of the key figures and dates of the second World War, as the terms Nazi, and blitz, kamikaze, and the name Hitler all remain part of current language. It is likely that most children today (and young adults too) would first think of a Pillsbury advertisement on the mention of “doughboy”. It may be questioned if youth today would recognize the Adrian Helmet of the French or the Brodie helmets of the American and British as being WWI era. Would they know that the current world view against the use of chemical warfare began with the use of chlorine, mustard, and phosgene? Or that blimps were once used in battle? That tanks were first used during this conflict? That ethnic cleansing was an issue?
Just as we strive as a brotherhood to preserve the memories of who, what, why the Civil War was fought – we should also strive for the same with other conflicts. We owe respect and honor for those soldiers, sailors, and civilians who served this country during our conflicts. We should also help keep the histories and lessons of why each of these wars, in it’s own way, taught us something about the worst and the best of what it means to be a free society.