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FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
Published: March 8, 2011

WASHINGTON — Former presidents always make the cut. Ballplayers, never. Senators are case by case. The question of who, once dead, will lie in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol is one that rises rarely and usually without the gossamer of political controversy. But the family of the oldest American World War I veteran, who died last month at 110, has been rebuffed by the leaders of the House and Senate, who have moved to deny the late soldier his day under the dome.

The family of the veteran, Frank Buckles, assisted by lawmakers from his home state, West Virginia, keep pressing on. Their desire to see Mr. Buckles lie in honor — only federal officials or military officers lie in state in the Rotunda — is not just about him, they insist, but his fellow doughboys, now committed to history books and fading photos.


Read the statement by Buckles' daughter


Read the rest of the story here ...