On Patrol

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (left) addresses the audience gathered in the Pentagon auditorium to see the unveiling of a collection of portraits, by photographer David DeJonge (seated center), of the last nine veterans of World War I on March 6, 2008. Guest of honor for the event was Frank Woodruff Buckles (seated right), 107, who served as an ambulance driver in The Great War after enlisting in the U.S. Army at age 15. Buckles is one of only two surviving vets of that era. The other, John Babcock, who served with the Canadian Armed Forces, was unable to attend the ceremony. Delivering introductory remarks and seated at the left is Secretary of the Army Pete Geren. The portraits will be placed on permanent display in the Pentagon. DoD photo by R. D. Ward