A passing-of-note took place early this week ...
"Frank W. Buckles died Sunday, sadly yet not unexpectedly at age 110, having achieved a singular feat of longevity that left him proud and a bit bemused," Paul Duggan wrote in this article for the Washington Post "In 1917 and 1918, close to 5 million Americans served in World War I, and Mr. Buckles, a cordial fellow of gentle humor, was the last known survivor."
When I was young, World War I vets were still common enough that we could all hear their first-hand recollections of that era, and the changes wrought by that conflict. I had both a grandfather and a great-grandfather in the war. But even then, forty years after that strangely silent November morning signaled an end of "the war to end all wars," the old soldiers were begining to pass on to their final posting. Sure, we had books and photos, films and audio tapes ... but it wasn't quite the same as being there with them, asking questions, listening to the answers, watching their eyes, hearing a catch in their voice, and getting at least some sense of what it must have been like. The recollections are still there, but now they are second-hand ... as Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said, "We have lost a living link to an important era in our nation's history."
"Frank W. Buckles died Sunday, sadly yet not unexpectedly at age 110, having achieved a singular feat of longevity that left him proud and a bit bemused," Paul Duggan wrote in this article for the Washington Post "In 1917 and 1918, close to 5 million Americans served in World War I, and Mr. Buckles, a cordial fellow of gentle humor, was the last known survivor."
When I was young, World War I vets were still common enough that we could all hear their first-hand recollections of that era, and the changes wrought by that conflict. I had both a grandfather and a great-grandfather in the war. But even then, forty years after that strangely silent November morning signaled an end of "the war to end all wars," the old soldiers were begining to pass on to their final posting. Sure, we had books and photos, films and audio tapes ... but it wasn't quite the same as being there with them, asking questions, listening to the answers, watching their eyes, hearing a catch in their voice, and getting at least some sense of what it must have been like. The recollections are still there, but now they are second-hand ... as Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said, "We have lost a living link to an important era in our nation's history."
All of this comes to mind as Midland College prepares to welcome someone who is, herself, such a link to history. On Thursday, March 24, Celia Sandys - author and journalist, television presenter and public speaker - will visit Midland as part of the Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series. Sandys will speak on "Memories of My Grandfather, Winston Churchill, at Home and Abroad." Drawing upon her vast and intimate knowledge of the personal and political life of the man she called 'Grandpapa,' Sandys describes her grandfather’s extensive military, political and private travels across the world, including the many journeys on which she accompanied him.
The Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series presents
Celia Sandys
"Memories of My Grandfather, Winston Churchill, at Home and Abroad"
Thursday, March 24, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Al G. Langford Chaparral Center
Admission is free, but tickets are required. CLICK HERE to order your free tickets online.
Twice a year, the Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series, Midland College Foundation, Friends of the Series and Bank of America present speakers whose civic leadership, academic accomplishments and/or public achievements interest, enrich, and enlighten Midland students and citizens. These lectures are FREE to the public.
Al G. Langford Chaparral Center
Admission is free, but tickets are required. CLICK HERE to order your free tickets online.
Twice a year, the Davidson Distinguished Lecture Series, Midland College Foundation, Friends of the Series and Bank of America present speakers whose civic leadership, academic accomplishments and/or public achievements interest, enrich, and enlighten Midland students and citizens. These lectures are FREE to the public.
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