LAST’S MAN’S CLUB WWI 1938-1989 MEMORIAL

THE IDEA OF A LAST MAN CLUB IS SAID TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN MID-17TH CENTURY FRANCE WITH NEAPOLITAN BANKER LORENZO DE TONTI, WHO DEVISED AN INVESTMENT IN WHICH AN ANNUITY WOULD BE PAID TO ITS SUBSCRIBERS AND THE PRINCIPAL WOULD REVERT TO THE LAST MAN IN THE GROUP. THE AGREEMENT IS CALLED A “TONTINE” IN FRENCH. AMERICAN SOLDIERS RETURNING FROM FRANCE BROUGHT THE IDEA WITH THEM, ALONG WITH A TASTE FOR WINE, AND FORMED THE CLUBS FOR FELLOWSHIP. HOWEVER THE AMERICANS WOULD USE A BOTTLE OF WINE OR CHAMPAGNE AND MEET ANNUALLY ON VETERANS DAY WITH THE INTENTION OF THE FINAL SURVIVOR OPENING THE BOTTLE OF WINE OR CHAMPAGNE IN MEMORY OF THEIR VETERANS BUDDIES WHO HAVE PASSED ON.