Today is Armistice Day. It’s the day when we in the UK remember the fallen and the injured from WWI. Â These days we combine it with Remembrance Day (celebrated on the nearest Sunday to the 11th November) to also honour the fallen and injured from subsequent conflicts, including WWII.
I wanted to post this on the actual day of the Armistice for a particular reason, and I know I’m a bit late in getting this post up but I’ve been busier than usual today, so forgive me.
Do you remember that I did a post once about Jimmy, the little donkey who was born on the battlefields of the Somme and whose grave is now in my town park?  Well, yesterday we were at the park, and as usual, passed by that memorial to a brave and uncomplaining soul. A fresh wreath had been laid there, honouring the thousands of animals who had died or been injured in WWI, and in all wars, everywhere.
There was even a handwritten note to Jimmy, letting the world know that he, at least, has been remembered, and was being remembered, with respect and love.
I’m reading a book at the moment about the first world war. Amazon have it down as a love story, and while it is that, it is so much more than that. It is a gritty narrative which makes you feel that you know exactly what it was like to be there, wallowing in the noise, terror, blood, mud and body parts of the battlefields, and what it was like to be one of the women who waited, or one of the VADs who nursed the maimed, or drove ambulances in deep, continuing shock and despair, while officers and generals sat in comfort in warm offices in England and ordered them to walk, not run, into enemy fire – having first blown a whistle to let them know they were coming.
If you feel you would like to know more about that conflict – if you feel that Armistice Day is outdated and of no importance in today’s world of modern warfare – you might like to check it out. ‘My Dear, I Wanted To Tell You’ is written by Louisa Young.
And let us not forget: conflicts are still going on all over the world and soldiers and ancillary staff and members of the public are still dying and still being horribly wounded and maimed.
I hate war – I would call myself a pacifist. But ignoring those who have been injured and ignoring the grief of the families who have lost a loved one is not the way to end it.  If we can’t do anything else, we can remember.
Excellent post, Jay.
I despise war, as well, and I particularly loathe the phony “patriots” who are so eager to send others into war while they stay home and talk tough. We had a lot of that in the US leading up to and during the war in Iraq.
My father was a World War II veteran who was wounded in combat and he always said war was “bullshit.”
But we can still honor the soldiers–and animals–who sacrificed so much.
Thanks for the tip on the book. I’ll look it up. There’s a novel called “Birdsong” by Sebastian Faulks that has some very graphic WW I battle scenes. And then there’s Stanley Kubrick’s great film “The Paths of Glory,” which I highly recommend.
Take care!
Rob Lenihan´s last blog post ..The Greatest Barrier
All war it terrible, but WW1 was a particularly awful war, where men were looked upon as ‘expendable’. I think we should never forget horror of these wars.
Babs´s last blog post ..A five minute DIY job?
I do feel sickened by people who make a show of sympathy for those who were injured or killed in combat, but are quite willing to start more wars that guarantee yet more casualties. And as Rob says the politicians who start the wars are never on the front line themselves, they’re all back home making grand speeches.
nick´s last blog post ..Misunderstanding
“I felt then, as I feel now, that the politicians who took us to war should have been given the guns and told to settle their differences themselves, instead of organising nothing better than legalised mass murder.”
That is a quote from Harry Patch, the last surviving soldier known to have fought in the trenches of the First World War, and – briefly – the oldest man in Europe.
He had a long time to consider that quote.
We in the States are celebrating Veterans Day today (Monday). It’s nice to know that this falls on the same day as Armistice Day. Our Allied veterans deserve this day, and this honor. Being a veteran myself, but never having experience combat, I can’t help but feel a little moved thinking of all of those who went before me and gave the ultimate sacrifice.
And thanks for the book referral. I’ll have to place that one on my list!
HermanTurnip´s last blog post ..Five Minute Fiction 96
Rob – Without exception, the veterans of WWI and WWII (those that have expressed any opinion to me about it), have all thought war was ‘bullshit’. Just change the word according to which country you’re in. I cannot understand why people allow leaders/generals/etc to send them into battle without protest while staying safely at home themselves.
Babs – Right. WWI (‘the war to end all wars’) was a particularly horrific one, and all the more horrific for having lasted so long.
Nick – I like Harry Patch’s idea. See Al’s comment!
Al – I remember seeing the Remembrance Day service where the last three veterans of WW1 laid a wreath at the Cenotaph. Patch would have been one of them. His words are very wise. Wouldn’t you just like to make that happen? People would think twice about starting a conflict if the guns were in their own hands … It would solve a lot of problems.
Herman Turnip – I don’t think it’s accidental that it falls on the same day. Americans were involved in the same conflict, after all, along with a lof of other nations. But you’re right; it’s nice to know that millions of people across the world are joining together in remembrance.
Veterans /Remembrance Day will always be needed. It seems to be human nature to always be in conflict. And it seems to be the U.S.’s position that we are the World’s Police, so we will always have soldiers in areas of conflict. We should also spend the day remembering those veterans who are still alive. So many defend the country, only to come back and end up in poverty and homeless.
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A beautiful post today! I love that someone left a note for Jimmy. I’ve never heard of the book that you’re reading, but The House At Riverton is another that you might enjoy. It’s a bit of a mystery and set during the same time period, if I remember correctly. I really enjoyed it!
houndstooth´s last blog post ..A Birthday Hike To Remember
I am so completely choked up… the whole post… but then reading the note about animals. What a beautiful piece you have written.
Katherine´s last blog post ..The Watchful Peahen
I will definitely checkout this book. A day of somber remembrance.
Lori – What Remains Now´s last blog post ..A Favorite Quote – November 12
Genji’s Corner – You are so right. And to be fair, at least in this country, remembering veterans who are still alive and suffering the effects of war is a big part of Remembrance Day. We have lost the last of the WWI generation, of course.
It is a disgrace that so many of your veterans end up on the streets, homeless and forgotten. I have not heard of that happening here.
Houndstooth – Thank you! Yes, it was lovely to see the fresh wreath and the note. It does a little to restore faith in human nature.
I will look up the book you mention – thanks (again)! New reading matter is always welcome.
Katherine – Thank you so much. It was written from the heart .. but then I guess most of the best things are.
Lori – Indeed it is, though it is sad to see how many people were NOT wearing their poppies.
Excellent post, Jay. I’m actually chocked up over here.
Meleah Rebeccah´s last blog post ..Doing Things Differently – Week Two
Hi Jay
No need to reply, I just wanted to say that I hope you are OK and to wish you well. Perhaps you are away on holiday and I just missed that at some point.
As one who was often disappearing from blogging because there are plenty of other things to be done I know that feeling too.
Anyway, take care and very best wishes.
Doris x
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I ditto Doris….
X
Katherine´s last blog post ..A Poll: It’s all about Me and You.
I ditto Doris again. Thinking of you. Hope all’s well and that you’re looking forward to a very Good Christmas.
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Miss you, baby doll! Merry Christmas!
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