Only a few more vet acquired pieces left

[Guest Brian von Etzel]

There appears to be no exact worldwide count of surviving veterans from the war that set a terrible new benchmark in the history of human conflict in left millions dead on muddy, trench-covered battlefields.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said eight WWI vets were listed on benefits rolls as of September 2005. The count of survivors was lost after the question was left off a census taken in the 1990s, said USDVA spokesman Jose Llamas.

"I know that there are less than 50 veterans worldwide," he said. Living U.S. veterans include a 112-year old man living in Puerto Rico and a 104-year old in the Washington, D.C., area, he said.

[Ramblinfarms]

And life goes on.

When I was growiing up, I can remember my Grandfather playing cards at the beach club with his buddies-All WWI vets. A lot of these guys were in the 77th, so I heard some marvelous stories as a boy.

Now my Father's WWII generation is dying out. My Dad just turned 80, and he is in pretty good health. But someday soon, these men will be gone from the face of the earth.

Which all shows the importance of our hobby, preserving the mementos and stories of these men and women and their experiences.

And thus, the importance of all of us passing our passion of history along to the next generation of collectors.

We will remember!

[webr55]

Hello Brian,

I suppose you know this page?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surviving_Vet...First_World_War

Chris

[joe campbell]

very interesting - and humbling - information.

my thanks!

joe