Because the VA usually only knows the identity and location of veterans after they come to the Department for benefits, they have no way of tracing veterans from World War I or knowing if there are more than the four known surviving veterans.

The VA is seeking your help in locating WWI veterans who are still living. To qualify as a World War I veteran, someone must have been on active duty between April 6, 1917 and Nov. 11, 1918.

The VA is also looking for surviving Americans who served in the armed forces of allied nations.

The four known surviving World War I veterans are John Babcock, 102, from Puget Sound, Wash.; Frank Buckles, 106, Charles Town, W.Va.; Russell Coffey, 108, North Baltimore, Ohio; and Harry Landis, 107, Sun City Center, Fla.

Information about survivors can be e-mailed to ww1@va.gov; faxed to 202-273-6702, or mailed to the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs (80), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420.

It was on this date in 1932 that Radio City Music Hall had its grand opening. Originally it was meant to be a venue for a return to high class live entertainment but for many years showcased movies. With 5,933 seats it became the largest indoor theater in the world.

Just as famous as Radio City Music Hall are the precision steppers called The Rockettes. The Rockettes began an annual Christmas Spectacular in 1933 and it continues to this day.

The Rockettes and their famous kicks have been a mainstay of the Music Hall and a symbol of New York City and America to the world for over 75 years.

The requirements to be a Rockette are almost the same now as they were in 1932. A Rockette must be between 5’6 and 5’10 1/2 and be proficient in tap and jazz dance styles. Most importantly, she has to shine with that inner glow and smile, smile, smile.

Interestingly, I didn’t see any age or weight requirements or restrictions on the Radio City Music Hall Website. So, if you are interested in auditioning go to the Radio City website and click on Rockettes. Even if you don’t want to join the show, you still have time to see it as shows run through December 30th. Check the calendar by clicking The Christmas Spectacular.

On this day in 1951, two songs at the top of the charts are now traditional seasonal favorites.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, by Gene Autry was heard on radios all over America. The song was based on a story written by Robert L. May in 1939 for Montgomery Ward stores, as a Christmas book for their store Santas to hand out to kids. He nearly wasn’t named Rudolph; May initially christened him Rollo but store executives nixed that name and asked for another, and so, Rudolph was born and is now part of American Christmas tradition.

Bing Crosby scored what may be his most enduring hit with White Christmas. Originally introduced in the 1942 film Holiday Inn, it became the title of the 1954 holiday film White Christmas, featuring Bing, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. White Christmas is a holiday tradition as well, and can usually be viewed on a local television channel in most areas at this time of year.

Click the link below to see the original film clip of Bing crooning White Christmas for the first time.

Bing Crosby – White Christmas – Holiday Inn

The old song says, “No, they can’t take that away from me” and that is certainly true for Les Loken, a 94-year-old World War II veteran. He has been recording his memories on video and putting them up on YouTube.

YouTube is one of those new-fangled things on the internet, essentially a library of all kinds of videos that people can add to and others watch. It is the latest thing with the young, of course, but Les has shown that it’s for older people too.

His series of videos deals with his early life, the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, the war in the Pacific and the occupation of Japan. As eye witness accounts, they are both interesting and revealing, as well as being a potentially rich source for historians. In fact, so interesting are Les’ videos that young people have found them and begun to respond in videos of their own. There is still some respect for the past, it seems.

If you have a broadband internet connection, I recommend that you click on the links below and enjoy Les and his memories.

Les Loken – Part 1 (Pearl Harbor)

Les Loken – Part 2 (War in the Pacific)

Les Loken – Part 3 (Occupation of Japan)

Les Loken – Part 4 (Friendship with Namikawa)

Les Loken – Part 5 (Occupied Japan)

Les Loken – Part 6 (Earliest years)

Les Loken – Part 7 (The Great Depression)

Les Loken – Part 8 (Military career)

Les Loken – Part 9 (More WWII experiences)