Ceremony for last WWI vet dashed by Congress

[Townsend]

Imagine what FOX would be saying if this had been a call from the democrats instead of Boehner.

WOO, there'd be Hell to pay.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/04/national/main20039136.shtml

West Virginia's two Democratic senators blamed Republican House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner on Thursday.


The bodies of prominent citizens have been displayed in the Rotunda on 30 occasions, starting in 1852 with Henry Clay, a longtime senator and congressman. Others include President Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, unknown soldiers from America's wars and civil rights hero Rosa Parks.


The honor requires a congressional resolution or the approval of congressional leaders, according to the office of the architect of the Capitol.


Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin III both released statements saying the speaker had blocked the Capitol honor. Asked if that were true, Boehner spokesman Mike Steel said the speaker and Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid would seek Defense Department permission for a ceremony for Buckles at Arlington National Cemetery, outside Washington.


In his final years, Buckles had campaigned for greater recognition for the 4.7 million Americans who joined the military in 1917 and 1918 during World War I. Among his goals was a national memorial in Washington for those who served in that conflict.

[cannon_fodder]

Talk about "the forgotten war."  About as many Americans were casualties of WWI as Korea and Vietnam combined.  How Americans choose to remember history is odd.