Last Canadian WWI Vet Dies

[Dr. Cheese]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/wo...bcock.html?hpw

Now the last Allied Veteran is an American in WVA who is currently 109.

[MIJ-VI]

The fact that young John Henry Foster Babcock enlisted after it was quite clear that nobody who went over to Europe back then was 'coming home by Christmas' indicates this lad had guts.

But thank goodness the authorities had the heart and good sense not to send this 16 year old into that meat grinder known as the Western Front.

[Holy War]

Amazing

[Stigs]

Sad to think that there are so few of them left, an entire part of history will be gone soon.

Books just don't do it justice, I enjoy watching history shows and hearing stories told by veterans more than hearing the narrator lecture.

[Big Daddy Mac]

Twenty years ago, I lived in the town of Cayuga Ontario. There was a WW1 veteran, Jack, who was a barber and had been one in that town since 1920 or so. Jack had his WW1 helmet and some other "souvenirs" in his barber shop.

Jack owned a piece of property along the Grand River where he liked to go fishing. Jack planted a maple tree for each of his friends that died in WW1, on the property. Later he had a little brass name plate made for each of the trees with the mans name on it.

It was one of the most powerful sights I had ever seen, these huge maples each with a soldiers names. I sure hope that someone planted a tree for Jack when he passed away.

[username n/a]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy Mac

Twenty years ago, I lived in the town of Cayuga Ontario. There was a WW1 veteran, Jack, who was a barber and had been one in that town since 1920 or so. Jack had his WW1 helmet and some other "souvenirs" in his barber shop.

Jack owned a piece of property along the Grand River where he liked to go fishing. Jack planted a maple tree for each of his friends that died in WW1, on the property. Later he had a little brass name plate made for each of the trees with the mans name on it.

It was one of the most powerful sights I had ever seen, these huge maples each with a soldiers names. I sure hope that someone planted a tree for Jack when he passed away.

I read that in Morgan Freeman's voice. Awesome.

[rob2966]

I was recently on vacation in France and checked out the D-day beaches, Vimy Ridge, and Ieper(Ypres)/Passchendaele (techinically in Belgium). It was very moving and almost unbelievable how many young lives were lost (especially in WWI).

Seeing these places in person is the best way not to forget what these young men sacrificed.

Later
Rob

[Holy War]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy Mac

Twenty years ago, I lived in the town of Cayuga Ontario. There was a WW1 veteran, Jack, who was a barber and had been one in that town since 1920 or so. Jack had his WW1 helmet and some other "souvenirs" in his barber shop.

Jack owned a piece of property along the Grand River where he liked to go fishing. Jack planted a maple tree for each of his friends that died in WW1, on the property. Later he had a little brass name plate made for each of the trees with the mans name on it.

It was one of the most powerful sights I had ever seen, these huge maples each with a soldiers names. I sure hope that someone planted a tree for Jack when he passed away.

Thats ****ing motivating.

Im going to do 20 push ups right now for Jack

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

A lot of troops returning from that war had contracted flu, or the grippe as many called it then (this was at the beginning of the worldwide Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918). They were shipped home not to a welcome, but to shunning and quarantine. Sadly, many of them survived the hellish trench warfare, mustard gas attacks, etc., in Europe, only to succumb to a wrenching death before they could even reach home and loved ones.

[Aged_Clayman]

Excuse me for being dumb, but does

In November 2006, when only three Canadian veterans of World War I were still alive, the House of Commons voted in favor of a state funeral for the last survivor.

mean, that only the last of the last would be honored with the state funeral, and the other two shou;d be not? That sounds very wrong.

[Holy War]

Originally Posted by Aged_Clayman

Excuse me for being dumb, but does

mean, that only the last of the last would be honored with the state funeral, and the other two shou;d be not? That sounds very wrong.

In Soviet Canada, the state buries you!

[RWP]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

A lot of troops returning from that war had contracted flu, or the grippe as many called it then (this was at the beginning of the worldwide Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918). They were shipped home not to a welcome, but to shunning and quarantine. Sadly, many of them survived the hellish trench warfare, mustard gass atcks, etc., in Europe, only to succumb to a wrenching death before they could even reach home and loved ones.

Something I never knew, really sucks. Not that any war is good but WWI was especially ruff.

[Joey3313]

Originally Posted by username n/a

I read that in Morgan Freeman's voice. Awesome.

BWAHAHAAAA! As soon as you said that, I reread the post and could hear it like that in my head too.

First time I think I've actually "laughed out loud"...well played.

[GeneralElectric]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

A lot of troops returning from that war had contracted flu, or the grippe as many called it then (this was at the beginning of the worldwide Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918). They were shipped home not to a welcome, but to shunning and quarantine. Sadly, many of them survived the hellish trench warfare, mustard gas attacks, etc., in Europe, only to succumb to a wrenching death before they could even reach home and loved ones.

+1. Navy ships quickly became centers for disease.

[Randall]

Originally Posted by Aged_Clayman

Excuse me for being dumb, but does

mean, that only the last of the last would be honored with the state funeral, and the other two shou;d be not? That sounds very wrong.

And he refused the state funeral. Are you mixing up a funeral for a state funeral?. A state funeral is used to honour heads of state etc (Ronald Reagan etc) not every service person who has passed away.
A petition was formed to honour him with a state funeral and was approved but was refused by him and his family.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I think an official funeral for the last veteran is not only for him, but also for all who went before.

[Dr_Funkdamental]

Condolences to his family. I have so much respect for veterans anywhere. I remember growing up, the man who raised my mother and who I know as my grandpa was one of the few black combat engineers of WWI. He died back in '93 at 96. I remember all the stories he would tell and the equipment he had. I didnt think it was all that cool because he didnt have any guns or knives, he had all this measuring equipment, but later I understood their importance. I told my mother she could give anything in our house away, but his folded flag is mine.

[P. Aaron]

All I can say is: Thanks for being there. RIP.

[Holy War]

Belleau Wood....read about it.

"Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?"

Semper Fi

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Now the last Allied Veteran is an American in WVA who is currently 109.

And we all dream of him... he's going to lead us to Boulder, Co to thwart the Dark Woman we all dream of? The Walkin Chick doesnt stand a chance!