Our families have lost members as a result of this war and the next 21 years later. World War 1 consumed 20 million lives and left a further 21 million seriously wounded and subsequently disabled physically and mentally. The total number of deaths included 9.7 million military personnel and just over 10 million civilians. The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) [Serbia, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and the United States] lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers [Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire] lost about 4 million. Appalling numbers no the word is ghastly; gory not glory.
Yet the awful consequences of such insane carnage were felt long after the guns fell silent. World leaders have been attending Armistices Centenary remembrances in Europe, but we wonder who, if any among them will learn any lessons from the event, when it comes to bathing in the light of their own egos as they prepare to fight yet another war based on the most flimsy of justification.
David D sight founder, conceptual creator and content architect, has been to pay his respects at our local Cenotaph, I have resorted to watching the ceremonial day unfold on the Fools lantern known as 'television'. In fact I still have one ear on the programme as I write, because the real stories it tells are in turns heroic, harrowing then become horrific and tragic.
Prior to his trip DD sent emailed these important links, quotes and tables on the profligate waste of humanity that is war.
GOOD MORNING
MAN’S INHUMANITYTO MAN.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11 TH 2018 11-00 AM
http://www.973-eht-namuh-973.com/Alchem ... 20900.html
http://www.973-eht-namuh-973.com/Alchemy/WAR.htm
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIES OF HUMAN LIFE THROUGHOUT THE AGES
THAT HAVE DIED IN THE SCOURGE THAT IS HUMAN INHUMANITY TO HUMAN
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11 TH 2018 11-00 AM
WANDERERS LOST IN FORM IN AND IN FORM IN LOST WANDERERS
THE
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
OF
THE
ARMISTICE
AMEN THE NAME
1918
THE ELEVENTH HOUR OF THE ELEVENTH DAY OF THE ELEVENTH MONTH
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
1914 –1918
1939 – 1945
ARMISTICE 1918 ARMISTICE
IS IT FOR THIS THE CLAY GREW TALL
FUTILITY
MOVE HIM INTO THE SUN —
GENTLY ITS TOUCH AWOKE HIM ONCE,
AT HOME, WHISPERING OF FIELDS UNSOWN.
ALWAYS IT WOKE HIM, EVEN IN FRANCE,
UNTIL THIS MORNING AND THIS SNOW.
IF ANYTHING MIGHT ROUSE HIM NOW
THE KIND OLD SUN WILL KNOW
THINK HOW IT WAKES THE SEEDS —
WOKE, ONCE, THE CLAYS OF A COLD STAR
ARE LIMBS SO DEAR ACHIEVED, ARE SIDES
FULL NERVED — STILL WARM, — TOO HARD TO STIR?
WAS IT FOR THIS THE CLAY GREW TALL?
— O WHAT MADE FATUOUS SUNBEAMS TOIL
TO BREAK EARTH'S SLEEP AT ALL?
Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC (18 March 1893 – 4 November 1918)
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.
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
