2 World War I Veterans

[PanzerMeyer]

I thought these stories were amazing:


French Veteran dies at the age of 109


PARIS - Leon Weil, one of France's last surviving veterans of World War I who was also a member of the Resistance in World War II, earning decorations for both conflicts, has died. He was 109.


Weil, who fought on the Western Front in World War I participating in bayonet charges, died Tuesday at the Val-de-Grace military hospital in Paris, the national veterans office said Wednesday. His death leaves France with just six officially recognized surviving veterans of the Great War.

Weil was mobilized in August 1916 at age 20 and sent to the Western Front.

"He who says that he was not afraid during the war is a liar," Weil said in an interview published last November by the veterans' office in which he recounted bayonet charges under fire.

"The Germans were like us, poor guys getting beaten up for nothing," he said.

In World War II, Weil was a member of an intelligence network for the Resistance against the Nazi occupation of France, the veterans' office said. He went under the code name "Victor."

He was decorated as a combatant in both wars and was awarded France's highest award, the Legion of Honor.

After 1945, he built a career in sales of women's fashion.

Weil, born July 16, 1896, was a former boxer and avid swimmer, who swam until age 102.


British veteran celebrates 110th birthday


Britain salutes 110-year-old vet
Jun. 6, 2006. 01:37 PM
ASSOCIATED PRESS

EASTBOURNE, England — A letter from the Queen and a flypast by two Royal Air Force jets highlighted Birtain's tribute to its oldest military veteran on his 110th birthday Tuesday.

Henry Allingham, who once attributed his longevity to ``cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women," raised a glass of orange juice in salute as the two Tornado jets shot past the southern coast hotel where his family gathered to celebrate.

Treasury chief Gordon Brown travelled to Eastbourne carrying the Queen's "warm congratulations," and another letter from Sir Jock Stirrup, the chief of the defence staff.

Allingham is one of six remaining World War I veterans still alive in Britain, Dennis Goodwin of the First World War Veterans' Association said. Three others live in Australia.

The next oldest veteran is Harry Patch, who lives in Wells in southern England. He turns 108 on June 16.

Allingham joined the Royal Naval Air Service in September 1915. As well as being the last founding member of the Royal Air Force, he is also the sole known survivor of the Battle of Jutland.

He said he never thought about reaching 110.

"I have just lived from day to day," he said. "I just have a good day and never think about what tomorrow will bring."

[KODIAK]

And we all moan on occasion about what we've seen in our lives - makes you eat humble pie doesn't it?! Total respect for these guys - real men, and real heroes.