Remembrance Day

[ylwjacket]

In 4 years of war the US lost over 2% of its population - at least 750,000, and possibly 850,000 military combatants KIA, not counting civilian losses.

Few Northern civilians died from the war, but massive numbers of Southern civilians died as war ravaged the southern states. The "Total War Concept" was used extensively against the South. General William Tecumseh Sherman wrote the Union was "not only fighting hostile armies, but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war, as well as their organized armies."

Fought on our own soil. Still the bloodiest war by far that the US has ever been involved in.

And the US has been in a constant state of war since it independence, 93% of the time, or 222 years out of 245 ( as of 2022 ). Some reports state 228 years - only 17 years of peace since 1776.

We've been in a constant state of war since 9/11/2001.

I am a vet and I honor every death and drop of blood spilled.

It is a sad thing - war.

And humanity is damned good at it.

I watched this film last night - Joyeux Noel 2005

WW I, 1914. In the trenches both side call a truce to celebrate Christmas together (Scotts, French and Germans). For several days after they protect each other, then the upper echelons get wind of what's happening. The rest is history. Must watch on this Veterans Day!

folks that aren't from around this way probably can't or don't relate to the first part of this. I have kin who were starved to death at Camp Douglas.

My home was the site of several skirmishes, right in between two large battles. Neighbors have found relics in their yards (I have never search mine, but may this winter).

It's more real when it's in your yard.

And, I agree that war is the stupidest and most wasteful of all inventions.

Thanks to all who served. Not having done so is my greatest regret.

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[TJC]

My people are all from Eastern North (father) and South Carolina (the "low country" mother). They have been there since they came off the boats in the mid 1700's. They remember it all too well. We were all dirt poor sharecroppers, no heat except pot belly stoves, many with no indoor plumbing.
One light bulb dangling by a wire from the ceiling in the living room with a chain pull to turn it off or on. Everyone had a pig in the back yard and a garden.

Poverty is a lasting result of war.

5 kids in a single bedroom. This was the state of things in the late 50's through the mid 60's when things started to improve a little bit. Here's a sample picture, or two. or three!

I remember fondly.

 

[dtech]

Sources like the New York Times are notorious for minimalizing aggression of tyrants and Nazis. If you look back to their coverage of the horrors of the holocaust, you would have to look several pages back into the insignificant little stories of their back pages to see even little blurbs of what was going on.
Not much differrence today as they and many other disgusting media, blame Israel for the aggression that seeks no less than the demise of the Jewish state.

Well the us didn't exactly put out a welcome mat for the millions who tried to flee Europe as the nazis advanced, the immigration quotas for European countries largely stayed the same , I don't know how much blamed can be placed on the media , I do know that congress is responsible for managing immigration quotas. Overall the us tried to stay out of wwii until pearl harbor changed public sentiment.

 

[TJC]

folks that aren't from around this way probably can't or don't relate to the first part of this. I have kin who were starved to death at Camp Douglas.

My home was the site of several skirmishes, right in between two large battles. Neighbors have found relics in their yards (I have never search mine, but may this winter).

It's more real when it's in your yard.

And, I agree that war is the stupidest and most wasteful of all inventions.

Thanks to all who served. Not having done so is my greatest regret.

You may be interested in the memoirs of Sam Watkins, a private enlisted in Company Aytch of the 48th Tennessee Regiment. He was involved in battles at Dalton, Adairsville, Kennesaw, Sewell Mountain, Shilow, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, and Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Pine Mountain, and all the way down to Atlanta.

He writes only of his perspective and personal events that he experienced. The best 1st person memoir of a common soldier of the Confederate Army. He barely survived the war, and he was in it until the last of the battles just a few miles from his home! He had to wait 15 years before publishing until the US occupation forces running the governments left the Southern states.

Shelby Foote wrote this about Sam Watkins, "Sam Watkins is by far my favorite Civil War memorialist. In victory or defeat, he is irrepressible in outlook and performance."

Company Aytch: A Classic Memoir of the Civil War $5 for paperback $10 for hardback (used)

Dedication
To the memory
of my dead comrades
of the Maury Grays,
And the 1st Tennessee Regiment, who died
in the defense of Southern Homes and Liberties;
Also to my living comrades, nearly all of whom
shed their blood in the defense of the same cause,
this book is respectfully dedicated by the author.
​

 

[TJC]

Well the us didn't exactly put out a welcome mat for the millions who tried to flee Europe as the nazis advanced, the immigration quotas for European countries largely stayed the same , I don't know how much blamed can be placed on the media , I do know that congress is responsible for managing immigration quotas. Overall the us tried to stay out of wwii until pearl harbor changed public sentiment.

The US actually sent back a ship of German Jews who made it to the USA, fleeing the Nazi Government. They (Our Government) knew it meant certain death, and sent them back anyway.

Such is the state of humanity.

 

[ylwjacket]

My people are all from Eastern North (father) and South Carolina (the "low country" mother). They have been there since they came off the boats in the mid 1700's. They remember it all too well. We were all dirt poor sharecroppers, no heat except pot belly stoves, many with no indoor plumbing.
One light bulb dangling by a wire from the ceiling in the living room with a chain pull to turn it off or on. Everyone had a pig in the back yard and a garden.

Poverty is a lasting result of war.

5 kids in a single bedroom. This was the state of things in the late 50's through the mid 60's when things started to improve a little bit.

I remember fondly.

I know those stories all too well, from Savannah kinfolk - original colonists.

Don't wanna threadjack.

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

My dad was 82nd Airborne, Battle of the Bulge, St. Vith area. He was born and raised in Holland and served with the Dutch Resistance helping downed Allied fighter pilots get back to England. The Nazis caught him, and put him in Amersfoort Concentration Camp. He escaped 2 years later and hid out with his mother in Nijmegen until the city was liberated in Operation Market Garden. He joined the 82nd Airborne and fought with them until the end of the war. If you haven't seen this movie yet, watch "They Shall Not Grow Old". It is an excellent documentary about WWI 1914-1918 - all the dialogue is from the gents who were there, no master narration. The restoration is absolutely incredible. I've watched it every Veteran's Day / Armistice Day (they still call it that in England and France) since I got it as a gift. Thank you to all you Vets who served.

 

[Chris M]

To those of you our far Northern brethren, I wish you a good day as you observe Remembrance Day.
For the rest if us in the U.S...I wish you a blessed Veteran's Day.

Thank you all, Veterans and your families, for your service and support.

May God hold you all close.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I was about to post a Remembrance Day day message but I see @Chris M has bumped this thread. Thanks Chris.

To all who have served and those who currently serve, Thank You.

 

[Doc]

Be Proud Today Soldiers …

 

[TJC]

RIP Brothers....

Brothers in Arms

Go Rest High On That Mountain

 

[rang19ca]

To all my fellow Veterans, take pride in your service and honor your brothers in arms.

 

[veedubtuner]

<-- Army Vet. 8 years total, started out in the Reserves (3 years) then went active (5 years). Initially enlisted for 4 years in the Res, with a year remaining re-enlisted to active for 4 years. Then again, with one year remaining, I re-enlisted again for 2 years to get my E-5. Which is why I have a weird Time of Service lol.

Kinda boring enlistment, no deployments or wars. I was in the middle of ETSing (getting out) when 9/11 happened. I was actually surprised they let me continue with my exfil and let my get out. I think the "barred from re-enlistment" may have had something to do with it lol. Nothing nefarious don't worry .

 

[MXGOLF]

Thanks God for all who serve and have served this great country. I am very fortunate to have done the honor flight with my Dad who was at the time 88 years old. The most awesome time ever with him and the 99 other WWII veteran's. He lived to 94 and probably would still be here if it wasn't for Covid.

 

[Bob902]

Thanks God for all who serve and have served this great country. I am very fortunate to have done the honor flight with my Dad who was at the time 88 years old. The most awesome time ever with him and the 99 other WWII veteran's. He lived to 94 and probably would still be here if it wasn't for Covid.

I have had the honor to assist with a couple of Honor Flights. As a younger-ish vet, love those guys!

Doesn't matter if you are 90 or 18, the stories and shenanigans are great?

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