11/11/1918: Remembrance Day, Commonwealth Countries - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

BigBen · 11-10-2005, 01:00 PM

Here is a photo of the National War monument constructed after the Great War.

I know it is Veterans Day in the US, but we have Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth.

I hope everybody has the chance to take a couple of minutes to remember the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our beliefs and values.

As time goes on, it becomes less and less relevant; less real. We forget what happened and then turn quickly to war to solve disputes.

Please don't let that happen.

As for me, I am going to get drunk with some veterans and listen to their war stories. The act of "Passing the Torch" is important to those guys, and is not just a line in the famous poem.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

maleficent · 11-10-2005, 01:04 PM

...and poppies are still appropriate no matter which side of the border we're on...

Furry · 11-10-2005, 01:18 PM

Happy Rememberence Day.

Lest We Forget.

Leto · 11-10-2005, 01:31 PM

Thank-you BigBen.

Charlatan · 11-10-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furry

Happy Rememberence Day.

I just found this to be an odd way of looking at it... Happy, isn't what I would think of when I think of rememberance day.

Just being observational, not confrontational...

I think we should all pause to remember just how horrible war is and why we really should avoid it at all cost.

highthief · 11-10-2005, 02:31 PM

And why, sometimes, we have to fight as well.

Yakk · 11-10-2005, 03:33 PM

In 1918, the guns fell quiet on the western front of the Great War.

8,500,000 men and women in uniform died.

60,000 Canadians. 60,000 Ozies. 700,000 UKers. 1,400,000 Frenchmen. 2 million Germans. Half-a-million Italians. 1.5 mllion Austrians. 100,000 Americans. 2 million Russians. 80,000 Bulgarians. 30,000 Belgians. 300,000 Romanians. 400,000 Turks. 50,000 Serbians. 40,000 British Africans. 25,000 British Indians.

And roughly as many civilians as men and women under arms.

Never again. The War to End All Wars.

Quote:

PLEASE WEAR A POPPY

"Please wear a poppy," the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady," said he, "may I have one?"
When she's pinned in on he turned to say,
"Why do we wear a poppy today?"

The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered, "This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free -
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.

"I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
and became a man - as you will, too.

"He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,
I'll be back soon, Mom, so please don't cry.

"But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.

"Till at last, at last, the war was won-
And that's why we wear a poppy son."
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son - did he come back all right?"

A tear rolled down each faded check;
She shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Thought our freedom was bought - and thousands paid!

And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember - and give!

by Don Crawford

The Second World War. 55,000,00 or more million men and woman died.

10 million Russians, 3.5 million Germans, 2 million Chinese, 1.5 million Japanese, 400,000 Americans, 300,000 Romanians, 300,000 Yugoslavians, 280,000 UK, 230,000 Italians, 210,000 Frenchmen, 140,000 Hungarians, 125,000 Polishmen, 40,000 Canadians, 40,000 Fins, 10,000 Kiwis, 10,000 Spaniards, 10,000 Bulgarians, 10,000 Belgians, 30,000 Ozzies, 20,000 Albanians, 27,000 Phillipinos, 40,000 Greeks, 25,000 Indians men and women under arms died. About 20 million total.

35 million civilians caught in the cross fire all around the world.

6 million more burned in the Holocaust.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Einstein

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.

The Cold War: ~ 55,000,000 killed in various atrocities and military actions from WW2 until the fall of the Berlin wall.

(all numbers approximate)

Never forget.

Ishmal · 11-10-2005, 04:26 PM

@ 11am 2day i shall pause to remember...

Lest We Forget.

shortynickel · 11-10-2005, 08:50 PM

this was sent out in email from a veteran at work, I thought it was some very good info!

ELEVEN ELEVEN ELEVEN
are very important numbers to all of us.
It marks the Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, and the Eleventh Hour.

Armistice Day is the anniversary of the official end of World War I,
November 11, 1918. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies
and Germany at Compi gne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the
Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock
in the morning the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh
month."

Historical Facts:

1918
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could
imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an
armistice [temporary cessation of hostilitiesin this case until the final
peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between
the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November,
1918.

1919
November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the
following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be
filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died
in the countrys service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of
the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has
given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of
the nations" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension
of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also
marked by parades and public meetings.

1920
On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom
hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the
suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest
Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of
international peace.

1921
Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for
the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares
November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who
participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.

1926
Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an
annualproclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout
the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday
and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.

1938
Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal
holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no actual national holidays
because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The
Federal government can in fact only designate
holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But
inpractice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation
of holidays.
1941- 1945
1950- 1953
World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans
in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.

1954
On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the
legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

1968
Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday
in October as the new date for the observance of Veterans Day. The law is to
take effect in 1971.

1971-1975
The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of
October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South
Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as
follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas,
Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975-
California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,
Montana,Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah,
West Virginia, Wyoming

1975
Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veterans Day to
November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the
change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued
to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based
on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.

1978
Veterans Day observance reverts to November 11.

Elphaba · 11-10-2005, 09:51 PM

Thank you, papa, for your service in the Pacific. I am grateful that you have finally found peace.

superiorrain · 11-11-2005, 05:22 PM

A day for true heros whatever side they fought on. A part of history we must never allowed to be forgotten. I did however find it a shame that at 11 this morning in Victoria Train Station, while they announced the 2 minutes silence it was only observed by 70% of people. Two minutes once a year to take time out and remember is nothing and standing in one of the busiest train stations in the world it dawns on you, what little importance you are in the grand scheme of things.

Peace to the dead and happiness to mankind. May we never forget, may we always love.

drewg · 11-11-2005, 06:04 PM

What a weird war that was...

11-10-2005, 01:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigBen Comedian Location: Use the search button	11/11/1918: Remembrance Day, Commonwealth Countries Here is a photo of the National War monument constructed after the Great War. I know it is Veterans Day in the US, but we have Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth. I hope everybody has the chance to take a couple of minutes to remember the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our beliefs and values. As time goes on, it becomes less and less relevant; less real. We forget what happened and then turn quickly to war to solve disputes. Please don't let that happen. As for me, I am going to get drunk with some veterans and listen to their war stories. The act of "Passing the Torch" is important to those guys, and is not just a line in the famous poem. In Flanders Fields By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. __________________ 3.141592654 Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis. Last edited by BigBen; 11-10-2005 at 01:04 PM..

11-10-2005, 01:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	...and poppies are still appropriate no matter which side of the border we're on... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

11-10-2005, 01:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Furry Crazy Location: UK	Happy Rememberence Day. Lest We Forget. __________________ Furry is the leader of his own cult, the "Furballs of Doom". They sit about chanting "Doom, Doom, Doom". (From a random shot in the dark by SirLance)

11-10-2005, 01:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	Thank-you BigBen. __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

11-10-2005, 02:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	And why, sometimes, we have to fight as well. __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

11-10-2005, 04:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ishmal Wicked Clown Location: House Of Horrors	@ 11am 2day i shall pause to remember... Lest We Forget. __________________ "Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular."

11-10-2005, 08:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
shortynickel Addict Location: Central PA	this was sent out in email from a veteran at work, I thought it was some very good info! ELEVEN ELEVEN ELEVEN are very important numbers to all of us. It marks the Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, and the Eleventh Hour. Armistice Day is the anniversary of the official end of World War I, November 11, 1918. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compi gne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month." Historical Facts: 1918 World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilitiesin this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918. 1919 November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the countrys service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public meetings. 1920 On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace. 1921 Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success. 1926 Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annualproclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President. 1938 Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no actual national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But inpractice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays. 1941- 1945 1950- 1953 World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day. 1954 On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. 1968 Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veterans Day. The law is to take effect in 1971. 1971-1975 The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana,Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming 1975 Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veterans Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978. 1978 Veterans Day observance reverts to November 11. __________________ What type of... "Parents have forgotten how to be parents" Aaron Lewis "Get your ass back here, your a white boy walking thru the ghetto" - at the end of a bachalor party said to the bachalor while walking home.

11-10-2005, 09:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	Thank you, papa, for your service in the Pacific. I am grateful that you have finally found peace.

11-11-2005, 05:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
superiorrain Psycho Location: London	A day for true heros whatever side they fought on. A part of history we must never allowed to be forgotten. I did however find it a shame that at 11 this morning in Victoria Train Station, while they announced the 2 minutes silence it was only observed by 70% of people. Two minutes once a year to take time out and remember is nothing and standing in one of the busiest train stations in the world it dawns on you, what little importance you are in the grand scheme of things. Peace to the dead and happiness to mankind. May we never forget, may we always love. __________________ "The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

11-11-2005, 06:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
drewg Crazy Location: Norway	What a weird war that was...