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Photo by Thomas Coe

By AUDREY PARENTE
Staff Writer
Daytona Beach News Journal

Freezing temperatures and a slip on thin ice didn't stop four local Legionnaires from their mission: a 17-hour road trip to see the last living American World War I veteran.

Four officers of Edgewater American Legion Post 285 recently trekked by sport utility vehicle -- off the hard road in 24-degree weather -- to a Charles Town, W. Va., farm.

The goal: Present a hero's plaque to Frank Woodrow Buckles, a lively 107-year-old -- who fibbed about his age to get into the U.S. Regular Army in 1917. Buckles drove motorcycles, cars, and ambulances in England and France during what has been called "The Great War."

He once drove General John J. Pershing, America's World War I commander in Europe.

The Edgewater post is trying to get President Bush to honor Buckles, who has been recognized only by U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) and French President Jacques Chirac with the French Legion of Honor.

Post Cmdr. Ken Terry first saw Buckles in early February on a CNN interview. He called the Charles Town American Legion about a meeting with the man confirmed by the Library of Congress as the last living American World War I veteran. Lynda Lancaster, past auxiliary president of the Charles Town post, answered.

"It was the first request we have gotten from another post," said Lancaster in a phone interview. She's friends with Buckles and set up the meeting.

Jim Baker of Edgewater, a local post officer and incoming commander of Florida's 17th District, was primary driver.

"I have the newest vehicle," Baker said. He programmed his GPS, picked up Terry and a third Legionnaire, Sgt.-at-Arms Tom Coe of the Edgewater post.

He said they drove nearly straight through in 17 hours, with only a few stops, and met Lancaster at the Charles Town American Legion Post, rested up at a nearby hotel and went to Buckles' farm the next day.

"When I got out of the car at the farmhouse, I took one step, one good slip and got one good picture of the bill of my hat as I fell," Baker said. He wasn't hurt, and the group went inside to greet a healthy, alert Buckles, whose daughter and son-in-law also live on the farm.

"He said when he was stationed with a shipping line in South America, between World War I and II, he knew a 115 year-old and a 125-year old and knows the secret of longevity," Baker said.

"I said, 'I believe you do,' " Baker added, but Buckles didn't give up the secret.

The old soldier did tell about three civilian years in Manila as a World War II prisoner of war.

"This was the highlight of my military and American Legion career -- meeting this last-of-a-kind American," said Coe. "He told us about his military career and that on his way home flags were all over the train station. He found himself in a receiving line for General Pershing who said: 'How would you just like to be my driver' "

Lancaster said Buckles "was very honored to have those gentlemen present a plaque and drive all that distance to meet him."

Buckle's daughter, Suzannah Flanagan, said in a phone interview her dad is in good health -- except for poor hearing -- and would especially remember the Edgewater men because they gave him an American Legion Post 285 license plate.

"He can't answer questions now," Flanagan said. "He's with his personal trainer."

Before the four men left the farm, they set another meeting.

"We indicated we would see him in 10 years," Baker said. "And he hoped we all could make it back."

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