Veterans Day = Armistice Day

[nplant]

Please excuse the sappy tone, but I'm moved to share some thoughts I have about Veterans Day, since it's tomorrow.

As many know, and many more do not, Veterans Day was not always Veterans Day. It originated as Armistice Day.

On the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918, the battlefields of the Western Front went silent. To quote Kurt Vonnegut, "[Old men who were on the battlefields during that minute] have told me in one way or another that the sudden silence was the Voice of God."

At the present, we have but a handful of these men that were alive the last time "God spoke clearly to mankind." I can find references suggesting that there are about 50 of them left, worldwide.

We, as Americans, have very short memories. Clearly, these men are not the only ones worthy of our thoughts, prayers and gratitude. The years, months or days left to them are so very few. Let's give them our thanks and let them know that we have not forgotten them through the years and other struggles. As much to any other generation of fighting men and women, we owe them our way of life and our liberty.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Nicely Said

nplant:

I'd like to suggest to my wife that she feature your remarks on her blog (www.noisyroom.net), with your permission.

She's pro-vet, pro-gun, pro-America.

Her dad and mine served "together" at opposite ends of the world during WWII.

We both had granddads that served in WWI.

We have both been a little late starting, but we're trying to earn what they left for us.

 

[buttrap]

I get a bit of odd looks at times to but its still Armistice Day in my book. I guess the idea is its a nice fuzzy holiday deal now vs the original idea. The war to end all wars stacked up more dead than any war since per foot of mud too. Our army was only there for a short part of the war but the death rate was totay a horror unless your where a hun.

 

[sd]

I was astounded and humbled to learn that to this day they are still finding the bones of WWI veterans across the battlefields of Europe. The effort of our soldiers then and now certainly merits our thoughts and prayers.

 

[Rovi]

I can find references suggesting that there are about 50 of them left, worldwide.

One less since last Friday-
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-11-10-france-wwi_x.htm

There are twelve Doughboys left apparently-
http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=WWIVETS-11-08-06

 

[1911 guy]

The Great War

We do tend to have short memories, as a species. We're closing in on a century since The War To End All Wars. Several lifetimes ago. However, we must, as we are doing now, reflect on the legacy that was left to us by these unassuming heroes. They left farms and city streets to fight in a war on the other side of the world, went to places none of them had heard of. They laid the groundwork, corpse upon corpse, carefully inking the letters in blood, of what America was to be for the next century. Kurt Vonnegut (sp?) said it very well when he called these men "Saviors. A sword against the darkness."

I had the honor of going to several places of past battles during my travels. I felt as much a sense of hallowed presence there as I felt when kneeling in the Holy Seplucher in Jerusalem. Events and people who change history leave an indellible mark.

 

[nplant]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

ArfinGreebly: Feel free to post it, it's just something I felt the need to say today.

 

[wmenorr67]

As for being currently in the service and preparing to head over to Iraq in the next few weeks, I hope that I can serve with the same honor and pride as the generations before me. I just hope that when my time comes to see St. Peter they have a seat reserved for me at their table.
God bless the ones who have came before be and the ones I am about to go over there with now. May all of us come home safe and sound.

 

[.45Guy]

Armistice Day

Here's the uniform and sidearm of Matthew Popp. A military police officer that lost his legs in the Great War.

 

[jonnyhatesjazz]

Hi Guys

I am from the UK (Its not just England, i am from Scotland)

There is a poem (Laurence Bunyon, For The Fallen) from which an extract is read at services throughout the Unitied Kingdom On Remebrance Day. (Veterans Day. i believe it is the Sunday closest to 11 day, 11 month (Also it takes place on the 11 hour of that day) it contains the lines which i feel are incredibly poignant.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.(its nor a typo BTW)
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Remembrance day is honoured throughout the UK, at memorials and monuements to the Dead. The main event so to speak takes place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/remembrance/history/cenotaph.shtml

Very moving stuff

Thanks

Jonathan.

Full text below:-
Laurence Bunyon, For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

 

[Detachment Charlie]

I read this every Armistice (Veterans) Day. I can never make it all the way through the first time.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.​

 

[MarkDido]

I was astounded and humbled to learn that to this day they are still finding the bones of WWI veterans across the battlefields of Europe. The effort of our soldiers then and now certainly merits our thoughts and prayers.

"We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and we’ve done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in"

Colin Powell

 

[Harve Curry]

My grandfather Nick Polito served in WWI. He told me some stories over a bottle of wine one day when I was 21 and he was 81, of the trenches and one BIG fight as he put it, and following the purple wire along the ground when you were wounded to get to a hospital. His war trophies included his 1911 and a Lebel bayonet. His medals, service ribbons and military records were stolen along with Grandma's jewelry in a burlgary years ago. I remember him everyday.

 

[pax]

Detachment Charlie ~

My sons have all memorized that poem. When we toured the local Veteran's Museum a few months back, the docent was absolutely shocked when one of the boys recited it for him. But I always figured it was my duty as a mom to make sure my children knew their heritage, and the horrific price that many good men paid in order to pass that heritage down.

They shall not be forgot.

America's Answer
(by R.W. Lilliard)

Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead.
The fight that ye so bravely led
We've taken up. And we will keep
True faith with you who lie asleep
With each a cross to mark his bed
In Flanders fields.

Fear not that ye have died for naught.
The torch ye threw to us we caught.
Ten million hands will hold it high,
And freedom's light will never die!
We've learned the lesson that ye taught
In Flanders fields.

pax

 

[jonnyhatesjazz]

Detachment Charlie.

"In Flanders Fields" Another potent reminder of the scarifices that were made.

Not sure if you are familair with the TV series Blackadder. The 4th series takes place in the trenches of The Great War. Of course full of black humour and the usual Blackadder antics( the guy who plays House (Hugh Laurie) is in it). However the final episode as it ends fades into field filled with poppies. From a comedy to a stark reminder of the incredible loss of life during the war to end all wars.

Always brings a tear to my eye!

 

[Cromlech]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That last episode was really moving.

 

[AJAX22]

I don't drink, but tonite I'm lifting a glass to those who have seen hell, so that I never have to know what its like.

I invite you all to join me. 11:11:11pm

 

[chaim]

I am "only" 36 yet I have had the honor of meeting a couple WWI vets in my lifetime (I was a child but still knew they were people to honor). It really is too bad that later generations won't have that honor. Before too much longer, even surviving WWII veterans will be a rarity.

 

[nplant]

Here we are again on Veteran's Day. Today there are even fewer remaining vets from The Great War (some counts as low as twenty-two!

Let's remember their sacrifice, and try not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

 

[another okie]

When I was very young my father, a WWII veteran, always took me to the Veterans' Day Parade. At that time there were still a few Spanish-American War veterans walking in the parade. I notice now how old even the Vietnam vets are getting.