Rotunda Honor Is Blocked for World War I Veteran
 

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 ...

He should be honored by being allowed to lie in the Rotunda. With his passing is the end of an era and the closing of a chapter in our history. This should be done to Honor all those who served in the War that would end all Wars.

I don't see Mr. Buckles' lying in honor in the Capitol as somehow diminishing the prestige of others who have lay there previously.

Perhaps they could follow whatever precedents have been set when the final survivors of previous wars passed on (e.g. Civil War, Spanish-American War, etc.)

It's the significance of the event, not the individual, that's important. As the last (known) living WWI survivor, he should be placed to honor all of his brothers in arms from that war. Same with the last WWII survivor, Korea, Vietnam, etc. When you're the last to go, it signals the end of a generation that gave their all in the defense of this country and that should be provided all the honor that we can bestow.

As the last veteran of WWI Frank Buckles should be granted this honor. He answered the call so many years ago. We should never forget those who served.
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It just goes to show our government will show no honor if its not making them look good in the eyes of the civilian sector. Give a toast to that vet boys because one day they might be one of us.

I don't want to live that long. So long as I don't outlive my kids, I'm good.

Hey good job congress for showing how much you really dont care.

I honor the service and sacrifice of Mr. Buckles and all US veterans of war but in the case of lying in state in the US Capitol Rotunda I personally think that the honor is about the individual and not the significance of the event..................

As a veteran myself I do not take it personally that he won’t be allowed the honor. There are other ways to honor his service and in this particular case I don’t think the Congress insulted veterans.

I ask only these questions. What would it hurt? If not he, then who?

This is a time for Congress to show their magnanimity, reject pettiness....and show a little class!

RIP Mr. Buckles, ...Doughboy!

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

Thanks Dave, thats the best arguement in favor of this that I have heard yet, and quite compelling.

It sucks that the last veteran of World War I and a victim of Japanese war crimes in World War II is not good enough to merit lying in state in the Rotunda! How many politicans, who never were in the armed forces, or their spouses are burried in Arlington? Should they (politicans) be allowed to be buried in a place of honor for those who served in the armed forces?http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/hand.gif

Laying in State in the Rotunda = one thing

Being buried in Arlington National Cemetary = another thing

Here's my question: why would you want to be displayed in a wretched hive of scum and villiany?

Whether someone deserves to lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda should be based on his individual career merits. This is a very rare honor reserved for only the most exceptional of American citizens. Hap Arnold and Chester Nimitz were not afforded this honor and their military careers were legions ahead of this veteran.

Being the last of a group to survive should not merit exceptional recognition and honors beyond what the person's career earns.

Although I think it'd be great if Mr. Buckles were to lay in state, I can agree with the rationale for not doing so. Being buried at Arlington is nonetheless a very prestigious honor in my opinion, and Frank definitely earned that. Matter of factly, I think a statue in his honor would also be very befitting.

I just hope that the veteran of this county remember this slight and vote accordingly. This shows a lack of respect for the Sacrifice of not only Mr Buckles, but of all veterans.

No, They should not be allow to be buried at Arlington.

I'm sorry, but while I understand there can be a difference of opinion on this, I don't agree that we should jump to the conclusion that the decision made was based on a desire or intent to show disrespect for this veteran and most certainly not of all veterans.

As a retired veteran myself, I certainly take no offense from it.

My career does not merit any such special recognition. So I don't think merely living over 100 years and being the last to die of natural causes should advance the merits of my military career.

Again, think of all the extremely brave veterans who's body never lied in state under the Capitol Rotunda. In addition to the two lions of our armed forces I already mentioned, think of others such as Major Audie Murphy! If someone who served his nation as Major Murphy did in World War II, and then as a civilian to champion the needs of PTSD treatments of war veterans, does not merit a Capitol Rotunda honor, then merely being the last of a generation to die should not also.

As it is Private Buckles was given the same honor that Major Murphy was given, lying in honor at Arlington National Cemetary. That is a very significant honor. Can we therefore at least agree that no one in or out of government is trying to show disrespect here.