Last French veteran of WW 1 has died

[mas-36]

The last French "poilu" of WW 1 has passed away. There are no more known WW 1 veterans in France. Lazare Ponticelli was 110 years of age.

I believe he may have refused the honor of a National funeral, so I wonder what ceremonies will take place now?

R.I.P. Legionnaire!

http://www.france24.com/en/20080312-last-french-world-war-i-veteran-dies-110-0

[stonecutter]

An era has officially passed. RIP vieux poilu.

I wonder if they will have a big ceremony at Verdun to commemorate this, like they were talking about at one time? Anyone know?

[mas-36]

I wonder if they will have a big ceremony at Verdun to commemorate this, like they were talking about at one time? Anyone know?


If I'm not mistaken, I do recall hearing somewhere that Mr. Ponticelli had refused the honors of a National funeral, saying that it would be unjust towards all of his comrades to died in battle and whose bodies have never been found. Did he change his mind? I don't know. Certainly, there will be ceremonies to mark the occassion in many areas, I'm sure.

Perhaps some of our French members can fill us in with more information as the day goes on.

[IanSolo]

If I'm not mistaken, I do recall hearing somewhere that Mr. Ponticelli had refused the honors of a National funeral, saying that it would be unjust towards all of his comrades to died in battle and whose bodies have never been found. Did he change his mind? I don't know. Certainly, there will be ceremonies to mark the occassion in many areas, I'm sure.

Perhaps some of our French members can fill us in with more information as the day goes on.

As he was Italian born also Italian newspaper told about him, and well it seems he changed his mind, as newspaper said.

RIP Lazzaro.

[Galileo]

He had long insisted that he did not want his death to be marked by a national day of mourning, but recently relented to government pressure, and said that he would accept the honour "in the name of those who died."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080312/wl_afp/francemilitarywwihistory;_ylt=AgSpMbiw2h9HI.shkCWj8fh0bBAF

Repose en paix et merci à tous les poilus connus et inconnus pour avoir sacrifier votre jeunesse pour la France.

[Bryson C]

RIP. Definitely an end to an era.

[Thumpsquid]

RIP. Let the people who fought in the First World War never be forgotten.

[Soldat Inconnu]

R.I.P. soldier...

[James]

God speed old timer. Au revoir.

This is f*cking sad.

[Comrade Kane]

R.I.P. Thank you for what you sacraficed for freedom

[sisqo]

R.I.P God be with you. You will never be forgotten