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November 2, 2009
ROCKEFELLER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HONOR WORLD WAR I VETERANS, NAMED FOR WEST VIRGINIAN
Memorial Would Recognize over 4 Million Americans who Served in the Great War
Washington, D.C. – Senators John Rockefeller (D-WV) joined Senators John Thune (R-SD), and Jim Webb (D-VA) to introduce S. 2097, the bipartisan Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act, a bill that would rededicate the existing District of Columbia War Memorial as the National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The act is named for Frank Buckles of West Virginia, who at 108 years of age is the last surviving American World War I veteran.
“As we look forward to the centennial of the First World War, it is well past time to honor our veterans by rededicating an appropriate memorial on our National Mall to join the World War II, Korean and Vietnam memorials. Our grateful nation should recognize all the men and women who fought for our safety and fundamentally changed our world at the beginning of the 20th century. I am so proud we can honor Frank Buckles, our last surviving veteran living his golden years in West Virginia, and all those who sacrificed so much,” said Senator Rockefeller.
The District of Columbia constructed a memorial on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial to honor the 499 District of Columbia residents who died in World War I. The Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act would rededicate the District of Columbia War Memorial as the National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial. The legislation would also authorize the non-profit World War I Memorial Foundation to make repairs and improvements to the existing memorial, as well as install new sculptures or other commemorations at the memorial.
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