David DeJonge with Frank Buckles taping NBC Nightly News

To documentarian and friend of Compass David DeJonge, Frank Buckles is a cultural icon and historical gatekeeper, a man whose story demands to be told. At nearly 109, Buckles is America’s last surviving veteran of World War I (WWI). Since 2006, DeJonge has been fighting to tell his story.

He first met the centenarian while documenting the country’s nine surviving WWI veterans nearly four years ago. He was instantly drawn to the man.

“You couldn’t craft a better American story,” DeJonge said, “He was a WWI Vet, a World War II POW, and an American Farmer.”

And even more DeJonge believes that Buckles represents an era that America desperately needs to re-connect with.

“One thing I’ve noticed is how far America has devolved. I greatly cherish the positive values from that era — the community, support, and camaraderie of that time. Buckles is a link. He is a great ambassador for that era.”

DeJonge is no stranger to capturing the world’s most pivotal moments and people.  He’s worked with President Gerald Ford, Jesse Jackson, F.W. de Klerk, and Antonin Scalia. His work with the WWI vets resulted in a photo exhibition that is now permanently on display at the Pentagon. During that time, DeJonge also began filming Mr. Buckles story.

“I had a High Definition camera with me and I started to record.” He recalled. From that point on he assembled a crew and went to work.

Originally, DeJonge envisioned capturing stories from all the survivors, but shortly after the veterans’ initial sittings, they began passing away.

As the scope of the project narrowed, its depth amplified, DeJonge remembered. With every tick of the clock, he realized how quickly they would be forgotten, and how an entire era and war would be misunderstood at best and at worst lost forever.

“The Library of Congress has over 41,000 accounts of World War II on record. It has less than 400 for WWI.” DeJonge said. “For a war that claimed over 23 million lives and over 116,000 Americans, we need to do something to remember and honor their sacrifice. With Frank, this is the very last breath, last soul and last witness to World War One and a tremendous American.”

Despite being featured on CNN, NPR, NBC, and CBS, working to capture Buckles story has not been without its trials. Because of Buckles age, time is always a factor. But funding has also been a problem.

Several patriotic organizations and companies, who exist to remember and honor America’s servicemen and women,  and even several government agencies passed on the documentary. “I get what I call the ‘tally ho and off you go’ response, which is, ‘Best of luck, sounds like a great project, but that’s not really for us right now,’” he said. “In some cases the rejections we’ve received has been challenging to palate. Having spent time in England with their last WWI vets left me with a feel for what we are missing here in the US.” He recalled.

DeJonge who is also planning Buckles funeral is challenged by lack of movement by many agencies asked to assist with that planning as well. The reality seems to be that they could be forgotten.

To date, no official memorial for the Great War’s veterans exists on the National Mall.

DeJonge continues to apply for grants which are also difficult and face steep competition. As DeJonge fights against “literal deadlines,” the time it takes to write, submit, and receive the funds, could be valuable time lost. For DeJonge it is vividly clear as 11 of his 13 WWI subjects have died within the last 24 months.

With the exception of a few philanthropists who helped with the beginning of the project, DeJonge has self-financed the entire film project and most of this quest. He estimates spending in excess of $100,000 to document Buckles’ story.

“Frank is more than just a World War One veteran. His life is one that every citizen could look to and say ‘that is a profound American’. This project could inspire millions and with the right person or corporation Frank’s story will– that is what I am praying for.”

Despite the hurdles, DeJonge and Buckles push forward. In March 2008 they were honored at the Pentagon. While in Washington D.C., they were invited to the oval office where they met the President. DeJonge has launched Survivor Quest, a non-profit organization committed to creating compelling educational exhibits and documentaries. Survivor Quest’s goal is to motivate the public through stories of sacrifice and challenge from survivors of life changing events.

DeJonge plans to produce a “PBS-style documentary” that tells Frank Buckles’ story as he lived it–from a World War I ambulance driver, to sailor and World War II POW, to a farmer who settled in West Virginia and lives as a reminder, to those who will listen, of a pivotal generation.

For more information on David DeJonge and his work. Visit him on the web:

DeJonge Studio:   www.dejongestudio com
WWI Memorial:   www.WWIMEMORIAL.org
Survivior Quest:   www.survivorquest.org
Frank Buckles:      www.frankbuckles.org