There are only 3 living WW I veterans left in the United States. Only one of those men actually served overseas (Frank Buckles of West Virginia). The other two were still in basic training when the war ended on November 11, 1918.
One of those men, Harry Richard Landis, turned 108-years old today.
Landis spends his days taking care of his wife, Eleanor, who is 100 years old herself:
At 107, one of the last known veterans of World War I, once called the war to end all wars, he’s not forgotten how to care. Reaching over to cover his 100-year-old wife, Eleanor, with a blanket, he plants a kiss on her cheek.
“He likes to be right there by Eleanor’s side,” said Amber Claphan. She is one of several caregivers at the Landis’ assisted living home in Sun City Center, Fla. She shared information about Landis from fan letters, files and historical archives stored in the family home.
[snip]
“They’re both lovely people, great people,” Claphan said of Harry and Eleanor Landis. The young caregiver said Landis takes care of himself for the most part with the exception of being able to button up his shirt each morning. Additionally, he hovers over Eleanor, making sure she is well-attended.
“When I first started he wouldn’t even let me take her out for a walk,” Claphan said. “He’s something else.”
Very soon, there won’t be any men left from that generation or from that war. But today we still have three of those men left to honor.
And today I wish Mr. Harry Landis a very happy 108th birthday.
I’m honored to share the same birthday with a man like Mr. Landis.
I can only pray I can live a life as full as his.
Happy Birthday, Sir.
Left by no2liberals on December 12th, 2007 at 12:22 pm