LEST WE FORGET

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, please remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have our freedoms.

Following a moment of silence, let's try to put aside our petty (read: political) differences and have one day of peace on the board.

Anyone?

 

I'm with you, Flash. And thanks for the reminder. I'll make my call to my dad tomorrow evening to thank him.

 

I'm down. And if you have a flag - put it out. Gotta love the vets. Just finished "The Longest Winter" about the most decorated platoon in World War II, that played a key role in the Battle of the Bulge and just started "Flyboys" by James Bradley.

 

Speaking of that, my cousin's husband just headed back to Iraq today (Monday). He's an engineer, so he won't see much of the war, but him being there is bad enough.

 

What Flash said...

 

This is one of my favorite holidays.

The history behind Armistice Day/Veterans Day: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

A Vets Day PSA from Tomas' favorite friend: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/jlhewitt.asp

The Veterans History Project: http://www.loc.gov/vets/

 

A nice, but sad story about a man who is trying to photograph the last few remaining WWI veterans:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/11/war.vets.photos/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

 

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.

 

If you have time.
Powerful and amazing stuff.
I can - and at the same time can't - believe the government would demand these men stay silent.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/11/11/acevedo.pow/index.html

 

Hey, Canucks, CBC is doing an interview right now with Paul Gross about WW1, his grandfather and his movie Passchendaele.