The last surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, former Cpl. Frank Buckles, turned 109 on Monday and is still hoping for a national memorial to his comrades in Washington.

More than a dozen friends and relatives gathered Monday afternoon at the West Virginia farmhouse where Buckles lives to wish the old soldier well. One friend included U.S. Army Sgt. Gustavo Rodriguez, who was Buckles' escort in 2008 during a trip to Washington when he met with then-President George W. Bush.