“On Remembrance Day, Veterans’ Day & Armistice Day, I DO remember*”
Vol. 1, No. 22, November 8th, 2010
TITLE: “On Remembrance Day, Veterans’ Day & Armistice Day, I DO remember*”
On the occasion of Remembrance Day (in Canada, U.K.,Australia, N.Z., etc.), Veterans’ Day (in the U.S.) & Armistice Day (in Europe, etc.), my book of the week is: “Patton, Montgomery, Rommel: Masters of War” by Terry Brighton. Hence my topic is war and remembrance.
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “war”, “remembrance”, “soldier” and “general”.
War
“It is a phenomenon of organized violent conflict,[1][2] typified by extreme aggression, societal disruption and adaptation, and high mortality.[1] The objective of warfare differs in accord with a group’s role in a conflict: The goals of offensive warfare are typically the submission, assimilation or destruction of another group, while the goals of defensive warfare are simply the repulsion of the offensive force and, often, survival itself. Relative to each other, combatants in warfare are called enemies. The terms military, militant, and militarism each refer to fundamental aspects of war, i.e. the organized group, the combative individual, and the supportive ethos (respectively).”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War
Remembrance
“It is the act of remembering, the ability to remember or a memorial.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance
Soldier
“A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary.[1] In most languages, “soldier” includes commissioned and non-commissioned officers in national land forces.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier
General
“A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force.[1] The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_officer
Bonus fact #1: Remembrance Day
“Remembrance Day (in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom) is a day to
remember people who fought and died in wars. It is on November 11th to
remember the end of World War I on that day in 1918. Remembrance Day was
started in 1919 by King George V from the United Kingdom. On the same day,
other countries also have days to remember war and soldiers. There is
Veteran’s Day in the United States, and Armistice Day in France, Belgium,
New Zealand and other countries.” (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia)’
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day
Bonus Fact #1A: Why is it on November 11th?
“It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918 (major hostilities of World War I were formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice). The day was specifically dedicated by King George V, on 7 November 1919, to the observance of members of the armed forces who were killed during war; this was possibly done upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917.[1]”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia)’
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day
Bonus fact #1-A: What is the significance of poppies on Remembrance Day?
“…This poppy is a common weed in Europe and is found in many locations, including Flanders Fields, the setting for the famous poem by Canadian surgeon and soldier, John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields”. (N.B. This poem speaks of war fatalities during WW I.) In the United States,[3][4] Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand artificial poppies (plastic in Canada, paper in the US[citation needed], UK, Australia and New Zealand) are worn to commemorate those who died in War. In the United States this is in conjunction with Veterans’ Day, in Canada this is part of the Remembrance Day ceremonies, both falling on November 11, though generally poppies are worn from the beginning of November until that day. In New Zealand and Australia commemoration of the brave soldiers is celebrated on ANZAC day, April 25.[5]”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy
STUDY/STATISTICS:
WW I casualties
“The total number of casualties in World War I, both military and civilian, were about 37 million: 16 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 6.8 million civilians. The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers lost about 4 million.:
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_casualties
WW II casualties
“World War II casualty statistics vary greatly. Estimates of total dead range from 50 million to over 70 million.[1] The sources cited on this page document an estimated death toll in World War II of 62 to 78 million, making it the deadliest war ever. When scholarly sources differ on the number of deaths in a country, a range of war losses is given, in order to inform readers that the death toll is disputed. Civilians killed totaled from 40 to 52 million, including 13 to 20 million from war-related disease and famine. Total military dead: from 22 to 25 million, including deaths in captivity of about 5 million prisoners of war.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties
ANECDOTES ARE FUN*
Veteran Persuasion
A retired Roman commander once pleaded with Augustus to testify in court on his behalf. When the emperor instead proposed having an agent appear in his stead, the soldier rolled back his sleeves to reveal several scars. “When you were in danger at Actium,” the man cried, “I didn’t choose a substitute, but fought for you in person.” Augustus appeared on the man’s behalf.
Augustus Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, (63 BC-AD 14) Roman Emperor (31 BC-AD 14) [noted for his defeat of Mark Antony at the battle of Actium (31 BC)]
[Sources: Macrobius, Saturnalia; http://www.anecdotage.com/)
MY LIFE & TIMES*
My uncle served in World War II. My parents suffered immensely during this conflict. My dad’s neighbor’s were killed. I often heard about the war. My mother told stories about hiding in the mountains and when they returned home, their house was bombarded. My Dad often spoke about the horrors of war.
THE AUTHOR: Terry Brighton
Brighton grew up in the U.K. during the sixties. He was anti-war. He studied theology and became an Anglican priest. He left the Church and became a curator in the 17th/21st Lancers Regimental Museum. Brighton evolved into a historian. He was quoted as saying: ” I soon discovered that the truth about war was not reaching the history books.”
SERIES/COLLECTION
Books
His works include: (a) “Hell Riders”; (b) “Masters of Battle”; (c) “Patton, Montgomery, Rommel: Masters of War” ; etc.
THE BOOK: “Patton, Montgomery, Rommel: Masters of War” by Terry Brighton
World War II was a VERY big war. It was a worldwide event involving many countries, impactng upon the global population, causing millions of fatalities. In this book, the war was recounted through the individual careeers of three remarkable combatant generals: George S. Patton of the United States, Bernatd (Monty) Montgomery of the U.K. and Erwin Rommel of Germany. This is quite the war story!
CONCLUSION
Generals are leaders. Their knowledge, skill and achievements are noteworthy. However, the officer corps and under them, the rank and file, are equally heroes. They are all the best of us.
My personal comments
In past wars, (e.g., W.W. I, W.W. II, Korea, etc.), our soldiers fought bravely out of a sense of duty, in service of their country and countrymen and for freedom. In harm’s way, much too many were either seriously injured or killed. We, the baby boomers, born following W.W. II, owe an immense gratitude to these people. I consider myself lucky to be able to live in a great country where we have freedom. I remember them, I thank them and acknowledging their character, courage, ideals and great sacrifice, I honor them. And for those fighting today, I also remember them, I thank them and acknowledging their character, courage, ideals and great sacrifice, I honor them.
The point
November 11th is the day to take pause and do it. It is really quite simple and easy:
1. Buy a poppy and wear it;
2. Stop everything you are doing on 11/11 at 11:00 a.m.
3. Stand up and be silent for 2 minutes.
4. Say a prayer for the fallen, our veterans from past wars and also our current servicemen and women.
5. Never forget what they did in the past and what they are doing at present.
6. Make a donation in care of your local legion or veterans group, to benefit these combatants and/or their families.
This is really important. Please do not miss this opportunity. I am sure that you will not let your country men and women down!
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech: richmediasound.com
The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.
*TM/© 2010 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.