I think Pocus' subconscious is letting these bugs slip in on purpose so he can indefinitely postpone his vacation.

Speaking of very old veterans, the oldest civil war soldiers died in 1936 I think (or perhaps 1933 I'm citing from memory). He was a drumboy who engaged in 1865 and never saw a battle, but still, this is amazing to think this man saw his nation teared apart, then saw how US of A helped France in 19...