WWI Vet turns 109
John "Jack" Babcock, the only living WWI veteran from the Canadian Army, celebrated his 109th birthday surrounded by family, friends and the media at Rosauers restaurant in Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009. He was presented with cards and tributes from the Canadian government and even Queen Elizabeth. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss," he said. "I didn't do a damn bit of fighting." He enlisted at 16 years of age, but never made it to the battlefield.
Section:Gallery
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John "Jack" Babcock listens to a question at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said.
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John "Jack" Babcock listens to Greg Thompson, the Canadian Minister of Veterans Affairs present him with cards from the Canadian government and the Queen of Engliand at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where Babcock was celebrating his 109th birthday. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said.
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Amy Chamberlin, second from left, watches as her grandfather, John "Jack" Babcock is presented with cards and tributes at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. At far left is Jack Babcock Jr. The elder Babcock received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said.
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A barbershop quartet sings for John "Jack" Babcock at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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John "Jack" Babcock, center, greets Wendy Baldwin, left, from the Canadian consulate in Seattle, at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. Behind Babcock is his wife, Dorothy. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said. JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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John "Jack" Babcock eats french fries and tartar sauce, his favorite meal, at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said.
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John "Jack" Babcock receives his favorite meal, a plate of french fries and tartar sauce at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said. JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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John "Jack" Babcock's cake awaits him at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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John "Jack" Babcock received this card Thursday, July 23, 2009 while he was celebrating his 109th birthday. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said.
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John "Jack" Babcock is surrounded by cameras in the hands of the media, as well as family and friends, at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said.
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John "Jack" Babcock, right, gets a handshake from Ken Strong at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where Babcock was celebrating his 109th birthday. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said. JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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John "Jack" Babcock, seated and pushed by his wife, Dorothy, greets family and friends at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where he was celebrating his 109th birthday. He received letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. Babcock is the last living veteran of WWI from the Canadian Army. "I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss. I didn't do a damn bit of fighting," he said. JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs in Canada, left, greets visitors with John "Jack" Babcock, right, at Rosauers Restaurant in North Spokane Thursday, July 23, 2009 where Babcock was celebrating 109th birthday. Thompson presented letters and cards from the Canadian government and Queen Elizabeth II. JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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