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World War I (or the Great War) officially ended at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June of 1919. But the fighting actually ended seven months earlier on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month when a temporary cessation of fighting (or an armistice) went into effect. That day in 1918 is known as the end of "the war to end all wars. (Wouldn't that have been wonderful?)
In 1919 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed this day as a day to honor those veterans.
I'm reminded of someone who was a prisoner of war during World War II. He was an old gentlemen that daughter Jen met when she lived in Los Angeles several years ago. His name is Alan and he and his partner, Ron, lived very near Jen's apartment. They met at a local restaurant that they frequented. Alan and Jennie became fast friends despite the 60 or 70 years that separated their ages.
Alan was on the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. He would talk to Jen about his experiences when he was feeling low. Alan grew up in South Dakota on or near the Lakota Indian Reservation and I'm not sure why but apparently his grandmother taught him survival techniques such as how to tell if a wild plant or root was edible or if it was toxic. Alan said that he used that knowledge during that horrific experience to keep himself and his fellow prisoners alive. Can you imagine?
In case you'd like to learn more, there's a bit of history of the Bataan Death March at the link in that last paragraph and information about a memorial march that's held each year in Arizona.
So I'm remembering Alan on this day. And if you know of or are close to someone who was a prisoner of war or who was missing in action during any conflict, I'll remember them, too.
Once again, thanks, Leah (of The Goat's Lunch Pail ) for creating Photo Finish Friday!
I'm writing this post on Thursday, the 10th and scheduling it to be published on the 11th. I did have every intention of posting a couple of times this week. I really did. But I'm going out of town for a week on Saturday or Sunday and needed to have this computer checked because the wireless thingamajig is screwy. Wireless will be the only way I can use this when I'm away. I called a local reliable computer repair business and was assured that it would be an easy fix.
Took it in on Tuesday. Didn't get it back until this afternoon.
The best laid plans.....
Good photo and excellent post. If only it had been the last war.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say that I had never heard of the Bataan Death March. Thank you for providing that link. I know a couple of World War II veterans and consider it a privelege to listen to their stories. It's humbling to think about the sacrifices of our veterans who have laid it all on the line for our country and for us.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that your daughter became good friends with Alan, and that he was able to tell her his stories. The fact that he could use Lakota traditional knowledge to survive the Bataan Death March would have made a terrific book, I think.
ReplyDeleteArmistice Day was about peace, and it has morphed to be about those who fought instead.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
Wonderful post, Cheryl. I love the idea of your daughter befriending Alan. I'll bet they have much to learn from one another.
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful that your daughter listens to Alan's stories. My husband's brother-in-law was on the front lines in Holland for 4 years in the 40's with no breaks. He watched his friends die all around him. He hardly ever spoke about it, but, he did tell my husband and his brother that the smell of burning flesh was unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Cheryl! I've been to the Philippines and have seen cemeteries that go on and on, forever, the crosses lined in neat rows. That march was horrible. My heart goes out to Alan - and my thank you to him and all who served so the sound of freedom could continue ring.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that it's there to remind people.
ReplyDelete