Veteran's Day - 2011

http://turcopolier.typepad.com/the_athenaeum/

Comments

[William R. Cumming]

Personally glad the US went back to November 11th for commemoration of the WWI Armstice. Arguments seems to grow in favor of the vast significance of that day and WWI as perhaps marking the suicide of Western Civilization.

Remember the dead who gave their lives for US. How did HITLER decide to declare war on the US a mere four days after Pearl Harbor? Did he not understand that despite poor training and armament, the US put almost two million soldiers into Europe after joining the Allies in WWI. An immense feat and mobilization carefully documented by John Eisenhower and laying the ground work for the follow on event--WWII.

A day for the most somber tribute to all Veterans and especially those that gave the last full measure of devotion.

[Fred]

Sadly my employer and the bulk of employees prefer to honor veterans by taking Monday off so as to not interrupt the deer hunting.

[YT]

Mr. Cumming,

Re: "How did HITLER decide to declare war on the US a mere four days after Pearl Harbor?"

Zugzwang? The foolhardy Japs forced his hand, IMHO.

(Without going into conspiracy theories 'bout wall st. then. -- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency_Wars)

[Mike Martin, Yorktown, VA]

The longer I'm retired from the Air Force, the more of a privilege it seems to have served this country. And the more of a debt I owe 58,000 of my contemporaries.

[walrus]

Its 1050 on Remembrance day here. One minutes silence at 1100.

It is a beautiful Spring day

"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."

[turcopolier]

Binyon - "To the Fallen" This is incribed in Washington arch in the cadet barracks at VMI. pl

[Grimgrin]

I had a teacher who would read Wilfred Owen's "Dulce Et Decorum Est" every year in the remembrance day ceremony. At the time neither I nor any of my friends got why.

I think about that poem every year though. I've since known a few people who killed themselves, and a few who died from accidents. I think I understand at least a little of why he made sure that poem got read after "In Flanders Fields". Dying is never a pleasant business, so be sure that it's worth it before you ask someone to die for you and yours.

But what can I really know about it anyway?

[Buzz Meeks]

CBC radio always broadcasts the Remembrance Day ceremonies from Ottawa. The minute of silence at 11am is always stunning.

[William P. Fitzgerald III]

I still find myself calling it Armistice Day. I recall reading that those words of Binyon's were spoken aloud by the King on the occasion of the dedication of the Cenotaph in 1920 or 21. Here, it is a grey, chilly autumn day and the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is a few minutes away.

WPFIII

[mike]

FYI - any relation to James H. Lang??

http://www.dailyastorian.com/free/the-secret-life-of-a-pow/article_8c93f2de-0ca1-11e1-b633-001cc4c03286.html