[cypedembeda]

No they arent DISRESPECTING him. However, I do find it kind of silly when you've got congressmen or other gov officials who havent actually helped anybody in anything that get to laid to rest there. I know there are quite a few officials who slave over thier work, but there are also plenty that just simply vote yes or no and go home.

[Biradallo]

Devil's Advocate question...

If him, who not? (I know that isn't a perfect sentence but I think the point is clear)

I am not sure of where the pettiness is? Maybe I missed some facet of the story.

In the interest of fairness it could be argued that allowing Rosa Parks to lay in state in the rotunda opened the door for people more symbolic than individual

You've answered your own question!

The proposed lying in state of Mr. Buckles is to mark the service and passing of ALL participants in WWI...5,500,000 men and women who served, survived or were killed, with approx. 20 Million living descendent's and approx. 80 million extended family members. His passing marks the end of a WW, the first, and the associated generation of warfighters.

There is no intention of honoring him specifically for his service but only to mark his passing as a final hallmark of the generation of war participants that preceded him and of whom he was one.

[bikersfan]

You've answered your own question!

The proposed lying in state of Mr. Buckles is to mark the service and passing of ALL participants in WWI...5,500,000 men and women who served, survived or were killed, with approx. 20 Million living descendent's and approx. 80 million extended family members. His passing marks the end of a WW, the first, and the associated generation of warfighters.

There is no intention of honoring him specifically for his service but only to mark his passing as a final hallmark of the generation of war participants that preceded him and of whom he was one.

I get it but personally don't take it as a personal insult to all veteran's.

My point was that I believe allowing Rosa Parks to lie in state in the rotunda was symbolic and has opened the door. But....Where does it stop? At what point do we say...."No, this person does not deserve the honor"?

And if that question doesn't get asked at what point is it not really an honor at all?

[Qxkmsxsx]

I get it but personally don't take it as a personal insult to all veteran's.

My point was that I believe allowing Rosa Parks to lie in state in the rotunda was symbolic and has opened the door. But....Where does it stop? At what point do we say...."No, this person does not deserve the honor"?

And if that question doesn't get asked at what point is it not really an honor at all?

Understand. I think the OP subject deserves consideration, strictly from a symbolic viewpoint for someone that does represent a large military constituency that so far, unbelievably, has not even been recognized with a National War Memorial.

[pesty4077]

I'm kind of on the fence on this one. Though his death is symbolic of the generation who served in WWI, did he do anything particularly heroic as an individual?

If I happen to be the last Afghan war veteran to die, should I be given this special treatment? IMO, no.

[lalpphilalk]

OBE'........

"The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Mar 15, 2011 13:42:15 EDT
ARLINGTON, Va. — Hundreds of visitors are silently filing by the flag-draped casket of the last American World War I veteran.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/20...buried-031511/