Was saddened to here of the passing Frank Buckles, the last living American Veteran of WWI (IE Great War). He was 110.
Now some may say this is important news but not relevant here in this forum but I trully believe otherwise.
I don't think anyone on this board (the 1% of the populaiton with some actuall knowledge of history) would deny the impact WW I had on the events that led to WWII and even the current events of the Middle East all tie right back to how the area was divied after the Armistice.
However more important and disheartening to me was the striking fact that this news rated less than a 7 second blurb on my morning newscast. Is this a sign of things to come with our ever shrinking population of the "Greatest Generation" veterans whom we all respect and talk about here often. I will admit I started down the road of my addiction too round engines and big props for the machinery and toys but quickly learned they were only inanimate hunks of metal and wood- It is the people, places, events, experiences and tangeible history (no wrote memorization of names dates but the real joys and terrors) stories which I believe are the most precious thing I have gained from this hobby and my experiences with the Warbird Community.
I truly hope that 7 seconds between the Oscar results (3 minutes) and weather is not the fate awaiting the last member of "The Greatest Generation". Among all of our good natures but petty arguments over "Top Secret Boys Clubs" and what is the correct shade and hue of paint for the inside of a gear well- lets take a minute to rember what is really important and why we should be doing what we do.
If we have a chance of survival in the future we must know where we have come from and learn from our experience so that we can avoide the mistakes of the past as we deal with the future.
Stepping down from the horse now
RIP Frank Buckles- Last surviving American veteran of the "War to End All Wars"
Steve S
Last edited by
Steve S on Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:32 am, edited 1 time in total.