<div><p>America's last surviving World War I veteran came to Congress on Thursday to ask lawmakers to create a memorial to honor his fellows combatants from "The Great War."</p><p>"What am I supposed to say? Oh yes -- the memorial, it's an excellent idea!" exclaimed 108-year old Frank Buckles, as camera bulbs flashed to capture the moment.</p><p>The wheelchair-bound centenarian, who lives in nearby West Virginia, pleaded his case to lawmakers that the federal city -- with monuments to honor veterans and fallen soldiers who fought in World War II, Vietnam and other conflicts -- needs a symbol to honor veterans of World War I.</p><p>Some 100,000 Americans lost their lives in the 1914-1918 First World War, one of the deadliest in history.</p><p>"It makes perfect sense to have a national memorial in DC," said Buckle's daughter, Susannah Buckles-Flanagan.</p><p>"Our national mall is an educational tool seen by the children, the students, the tourists from all over the country and abroad," she said.</p><p>In response to reporters queries, she added that her father "is in good shape."</p><p>"Obviously he has a hard time hearing, but he still enjoys reading and he is doing his exercises every day."</p><p>Buckles fought in the war beginning at the age of 16, and later was also a combatant in World War II, when he was captured by the Japanese troops and spent three years in a prison camp.</p><p>The US government has awarded him the World War I Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal, while France bestowed upon him the French legion of honor medal.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=64699183&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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