WORTHINGTON -- An obituary notice was given to me with the following information:
"The remaining U.S. veteran of World War I is Frank Buckles, 107, from Charleston, W.V."
The notice also referred to some recent passings of veterans from the same war. A Canadian veteran died after 107 years. A German veteran of that war passed away, also at 107. A Spanish veteran, who enlisted in his early teens, died at 106 years.
The obituary was part of a report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Those veterans mentioned were part of 4.7 million that served in the "Great War." Not all of that number fought overseas, as the conflict was over before those in the states could get to France. They didn't get to fight the "war to end all wars." Two decades later, the world was engaged in another conflict, one that lasted longer and was more costly in lives lost.
Is there no other way to settle our differences?
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Probably, after another decade in this century, an obituary notice will tell of the remaining veterans of World War II. How many will be left that reach 100 years of age?
Unfortunately, there have been many more wars, a larger number of veterans to draw from. This time, there will be women in the list of veterans. How many of my friends will be honored in the 2020s?
Organizations of veterans have become more numerous since the 1920s. Some, such as the American Legion Veterans, have become more influential in politics. Unfortunately there are still wars, but they are fought by the youths of a nation and that makes more widows and orphans, not to count the cost of wars.
Al Swanson is president emeritus of the Nobles County Historical Society.
