(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Congressman Sam Graves issued the following statement today about the passing of the last World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, who was 110.

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Frank Buckles. He was a native of Bethany and served with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) under the command of General John "Black Jack" Pershing, a native of Laclede.

Frank is the last of many men and women who answered the call of their country in the First World War. The doughboys were a part of American lore and faithfully performed their duties far away from home.

As we mark the end of this era, we should also renew our commitment to designate the Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum in Kansas City as the National World War I Memorial. Our obligation to history is to remember those who paid the ultimate price for freedom and to avoid the mistakes that made it necessary."

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