Veterans’ Day
101 years since the Western Front went quiet.
I can vaguely recall my dad taking us driving around The Somme battlefield. I would have been something like seven or eight years old, and the concept that a million people died there was just incomprehensible.
As I’ve gotten older, I think I’ve come to recognize just what a disaster for Europe, and the entire world, World War I was.
As I dressed for my appointment this morning, the local NBC affiliate had video of vintage planes dropping poppies over Dover.
I worry that the history of it is lost on most Americans. OK, Boomer, I get that you knew more people who fought in World War II. Bubuhbut Tom Brokaw said they’re the greatest generation!!1!
Understood.
That you didn’t learn, or teach, anything about WWI is completely on you.
I do distinctly remember my great-grandmother telling the story of marrying my great-grandfather during the break between basic training and deployment. This was despite the company commander’s direction that they not go get married.
So much of what’s happened in the world since, I think, can be traced to that war.
As for the veterans, my father was career Army. My father-in-law was career Navy. Much of what I do, now, is in support of the Army and Marine Corps. Previously, I, personally, have supported the Navy and Air Force.
One of the cooler things I’ve happened across in the past few weeks is ABMC. Yes, I saw a few of those as a kid. (And I’d really like to work for them if any recruiters come looking….)