61/365. My Favorite Veteran.
I think this picture was taken the Spring of 1999 at the ceremony presenting my grandfather with the French Medal of Honor. At that time my grandfather was the YOUNGEST surviving WW1 soldier to receive it. He was 98-years old.
At the age of 17, he ran away from home to enlist in the Army and serve in WW1. When his mother found out, she gave in and signed his enlistment papers. He got to France at the very end of the war and was always disappointed that he did not fight. He was, however, on guard duty one night and stopped a caravan of cars. The driver told him who was in the cars and said they were on their way to Paris to sign the Armistice Agreement. My grandfather waved them past and saluted until the last of the cars had passed.
A week before his 100th birthday, my dad told Grandpa Floyd that many of the family members, friends and the news were coming to celebrate his birthday. Grandpa replied, "I am not going." My dad said that he had to attend his own party. On May 19th, 2001, my grandfather passed away peacefully, 2-days short of turning 100. His big party, became his funeral.
Here in the States I am not sure how many WW1 vets are still living. We may be down to just one. I use to receive regular updates from Col. Johnson and have not heard from him lately. It was an honor to have the French government give my grandfather the Medal of Honor and make him a Chevalier (sp?). Our WW2 vets are also quickly dying away and I would like to see them, also, receive that same honor.
My grandfather was a cold,distant man. Hardworking. Silent. He golfed until he was in his 90's. A favorite story about Grandpa Floyd..... he was an excellent golfer and several private clubs in Southern Calif let him golf for free and/or would call him when they needed to complete a 4-some.... he showed up at one of those courses and was told they had a lone golfer. Would Floyd like to go out with this gentleman. He was willing. The man introduced himself as Duke. After the game, the Golf pro asked how my grandfather had enjoyed golfing with John Wayne. Grandpa said, "John Wayne? He introduced himself as Duke."
I think this picture was taken the Spring of 1999 at the ceremony presenting my grandfather with the French Medal of Honor. At that time my grandfather was the YOUNGEST surviving WW1 soldier to receive it. He was 98-years old.
At the age of 17, he ran away from home to enlist in the Army and serve in WW1. When his mother found out, she gave in and signed his enlistment papers. He got to France at the very end of the war and was always disappointed that he did not fight. He was, however, on guard duty one night and stopped a caravan of cars. The driver told him who was in the cars and said they were on their way to Paris to sign the Armistice Agreement. My grandfather waved them past and saluted until the last of the cars had passed.
A week before his 100th birthday, my dad told Grandpa Floyd that many of the family members, friends and the news were coming to celebrate his birthday. Grandpa replied, "I am not going." My dad said that he had to attend his own party. On May 19th, 2001, my grandfather passed away peacefully, 2-days short of turning 100. His big party, became his funeral.
Here in the States I am not sure how many WW1 vets are still living. We may be down to just one. I use to receive regular updates from Col. Johnson and have not heard from him lately. It was an honor to have the French government give my grandfather the Medal of Honor and make him a Chevalier (sp?). Our WW2 vets are also quickly dying away and I would like to see them, also, receive that same honor.
My grandfather was a cold,distant man. Hardworking. Silent. He golfed until he was in his 90's. A favorite story about Grandpa Floyd..... he was an excellent golfer and several private clubs in Southern Calif let him golf for free and/or would call him when they needed to complete a 4-some.... he showed up at one of those courses and was told they had a lone golfer. Would Floyd like to go out with this gentleman. He was willing. The man introduced himself as Duke. After the game, the Golf pro asked how my grandfather had enjoyed golfing with John Wayne. Grandpa said, "John Wayne? He introduced himself as Duke."
61/365. My Favorite Veteran.
I think this picture was taken the Spring of 1999 at the ceremony presenting my grandfather with the French Medal of Honor. At that time my grandfather was the YOUNGEST surviving WW1 soldier to receive it. He was 98-years old.
At the age of 17, he ran away from home to enlist in the Army and serve in WW1. When his mother found out, she gave in and signed his enlistment papers. He got to France at the very end of the war and was always disappointed that he did not fight. He was, however, on guard duty one night and stopped a caravan of cars. The driver told him who was in the cars and said they were on their way to Paris to sign the Armistice Agreement. My grandfather waved them past and saluted until the last of the cars had passed.
A week before his 100th birthday, my dad told Grandpa Floyd that many of the family members, friends and the news were coming to celebrate his birthday. Grandpa replied, "I am not going." My dad said that he had to attend his own party. On May 19th, 2001, my grandfather passed away peacefully, 2-days short of turning 100. His big party, became his funeral.
Here in the States I am not sure how many WW1 vets are still living. We may be down to just one. I use to receive regular updates from Col. Johnson and have not heard from him lately. It was an honor to have the French government give my grandfather the Medal of Honor and make him a Chevalier (sp?). Our WW2 vets are also quickly dying away and I would like to see them, also, receive that same honor.
My grandfather was a cold,distant man. Hardworking. Silent. He golfed until he was in his 90's. A favorite story about Grandpa Floyd..... he was an excellent golfer and several private clubs in Southern Calif let him golf for free and/or would call him when they needed to complete a 4-some.... he showed up at one of those courses and was told they had a lone golfer. Would Floyd like to go out with this gentleman. He was willing. The man introduced himself as Duke. After the game, the Golf pro asked how my grandfather had enjoyed golfing with John Wayne. Grandpa said, "John Wayne? He introduced himself as Duke."
I think this picture was taken the Spring of 1999 at the ceremony presenting my grandfather with the French Medal of Honor. At that time my grandfather was the YOUNGEST surviving WW1 soldier to receive it. He was 98-years old.
At the age of 17, he ran away from home to enlist in the Army and serve in WW1. When his mother found out, she gave in and signed his enlistment papers. He got to France at the very end of the war and was always disappointed that he did not fight. He was, however, on guard duty one night and stopped a caravan of cars. The driver told him who was in the cars and said they were on their way to Paris to sign the Armistice Agreement. My grandfather waved them past and saluted until the last of the cars had passed.
A week before his 100th birthday, my dad told Grandpa Floyd that many of the family members, friends and the news were coming to celebrate his birthday. Grandpa replied, "I am not going." My dad said that he had to attend his own party. On May 19th, 2001, my grandfather passed away peacefully, 2-days short of turning 100. His big party, became his funeral.
Here in the States I am not sure how many WW1 vets are still living. We may be down to just one. I use to receive regular updates from Col. Johnson and have not heard from him lately. It was an honor to have the French government give my grandfather the Medal of Honor and make him a Chevalier (sp?). Our WW2 vets are also quickly dying away and I would like to see them, also, receive that same honor.
My grandfather was a cold,distant man. Hardworking. Silent. He golfed until he was in his 90's. A favorite story about Grandpa Floyd..... he was an excellent golfer and several private clubs in Southern Calif let him golf for free and/or would call him when they needed to complete a 4-some.... he showed up at one of those courses and was told they had a lone golfer. Would Floyd like to go out with this gentleman. He was willing. The man introduced himself as Duke. After the game, the Golf pro asked how my grandfather had enjoyed golfing with John Wayne. Grandpa said, "John Wayne? He introduced himself as Duke."
