Houston, Texas- USA - March 10, 2011 -

From: Jonathan Sandys, great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill

AN URGENT STATEMENT FROM WINSTON CHURCHILL RELATIVE ON FRANK BUCKLES

Time is running out for the American people, and indeed the world to pay their last respects to our last World War I hero.  The disgraceful news that Speaker John Boehner (R) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) are behind a plot to block the proposed 'Lying in Honour' in the Capitol Rotunda, of Frank Buckles, the last veteran of both the First and Second World Wars, is shameful!

Frank Buckles represents the last of his great generation.  His selfless and courageous military service during World War I, and then as a civilian in the Merchant Shipping Industry, resulting in his capture and imprisonment during the Second World War, rings true the words of my great-grandfather Sir Winston Churchill who said in the wake of victory, 'I cannot  but think we have much to be thankful for.' When will the leadership explain why they are against this important expression of thanks given to other heroes such as Rosa Parks, Jacob Joseph Chestnut, John Gibson and others?

I implore the American people to join with me, Frank Buckles' family and many others, to insist that Frank Buckles be honoured BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY, as a mark of respect and as a representation of thanks to his entire generation from a grateful nation.
 
I urgently call on Speaker Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Reid to reconsider their positions and, as other countries and their peoples have done, honour the last of these veterans as the representation of a great and generous generation.

This is a critical moment in history the significance of which needs to be recognised.  I respectfully call on President Obama to personally intervene immediately in this matter.  Time is running very short to ensure that Frank Buckles receives the honour he most certainly deserves of being allowed to Lie in Honour in the Capitol Rotunda, so others may also have the opportunity to pay their last respects in a building that would not function as it does today, but for the likes of Frank Buckles.


Jonathan Sandys
Great-Grandson of Sir Winston Churchill
President of Churchill's Britain Foundation

Churchill's Britain Foundation
P.O. Box 22766
Houston
TX 77227-2766

c: +1 (832) 493 0939
e: sandys@churchillsbritain.org
w: www.churchillsbritain.org

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