Lest we Forget

[inzilbeth]

For anywhere that doesn't acknowledge Remembrance Day in the same way we do in the UK, tomorrow is the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI

 

Comments

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is such a haunting picture. Yes, we must never, ever forget the price people have paid to protect the innocent and fight for what is good.

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

I don't know if the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI is being celebrated in the US as much as the UK [perhaps you have other things to celebrate - or not- at the moment!] but with this being such a special Remembrance Sunday I thought this an appropriate photo.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, it seems to be going nearly without notice here in the States, which is really sad. Knowledge of history and respect for the military and veterans has sunk so low in this country ... it's maddening. And I even live in an area of the country that is far more supportive of vets than some other areas. But since today actually marks Veteran's Day, there may be more things going on than I realize or that's reported in the media.

There was an interesting article in, of all things, the monthly newspaper we get from our local electric power cooperative that supplies our electricity. It was of course in honor of Veterans Day and the end of WWI and was about the last living WWI American soldier, who was born in my state. He doesn't live here anymore but he's apparently doing very well at 107 or so. He lied about his age to join up and fight, apparently!

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

That is sad. It's still a very big occasion for us. There's the service at the Cenotaph attended by the Queen and other royals as well as the PM and other politicians. Across the country, wreaths are laid on war memorials and the Poppy Appeal still raises millions every year to support the families of lost soldiers as well as those who will never fully recover from their injuries.

With ongoing conflicts, the need is still there, but most of all, when we pause for the 2 minute silence tomorrow at 11am, it is at least a nod to those who were prepared to die for the freedoms we so take for granted today.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm a complete idiot! I completely messed up the when of Veterans Day here in the States. I thought, like most holidays, it would observed today, since generally these things are tacked onto weekends. But this one is observed on the actual day, which is highly appropriate. So while we haven't done as much over the weekend (I think some communities do have their Veterans' Day parades on Saturday), there will be observations/ceremonies etc tomorrow, and the federal government offices closed, no mail service, etc etc (although there is school, much to my daughter's disgust). I don't know why I'm so messed up on my dates with it this year. Maybe because last year it actually fell on a Monday, so I assumed it would be celebrated on a Monday every year? Who knows.

And now I have to go walk down the driveway in the rain to go get the mail that I didn't think was delivered today. Sheesh. LOL

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

I must admit I'm very relieved and pleased to know that you do as much in the US as we do here.

Hope you didn't get too wet getting that mail!

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Nope, didn't get too wet. I have a nice big umbrella. *grin

[ainu-laire.livejournal.com]

What a picture.

Never forget, indeed.

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

I thought this picture really summed up the horror of war.

[estelcontar1.livejournal.com]

It did, and with a vengeance. Very haunting indeed.

[inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com]

You can almost feel this poor man's despair, can't you?

[estelcontar1.livejournal.com]

I think there's no almost about it. The despair is very real in that photo.