News release from the Allen County Board of Commissioners:
Flags at County Buildings to be Lowered for Last Surviving U.S. Veteran of World War I
Flags at all Allen County-owned buildings will be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, March 15, out of respect for the memory of Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of the First World War.
President Obama issued a proclamation ordering flags be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds in remembrance of Buckles and the generation of American veterans of World War I.
At the age of 16, Buckles served in the United States Army during World War I as an ambulance driver. In World War II, he became a Prisoner of War in the Philippines and was imprisoned for 39 months.
Buckles died on February 27 at the age of 110. Interment with full military honors is to take place Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery.
And text of the official proclamation signed by President Barack Obama:
Presidential Proclamation–Death of Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles, the Last Surviving American Veteran of World War I
Death of Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles,
the Last Surviving american Veteran of World War I– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATION
As a mark of respect for the memory of Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I, and in remembrance of the generation of American veterans of World War I, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that, on the day of his interment, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half?staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on such day. I further direct that the flag shall be flown at half?staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty?eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA