Veterans Day
#1
Today, at the 11th hour or the 11th day of the 11th month we remember those who sailed on troop ships to (then) far away Europe and joined with other "allied" western countries to defeat the "Hun" who would have occupied the democratic societies they feared. 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row...

The "war to end all wars" only set the stage for another. And another. Today, at the 11th hour on the 11th day in November 2017, some 99 years later we are sending our young people to distant lands to   be maimed, disfigured, and die. We now ask for volunteers rather than conscripting, and while they are in those far away places in the sand and rocks facing groups of radical militants we at home sacrifice little unless we have sent loved ones. 

We should think hard and long about our foreign policy that directs our military to these engagements. The blood and treasure we sacrifice is precious and we must be sure of our goals. 


There is no doubt we must oppose and fight militant terrorists. But, many are questioning our "fighting the last war" in sending land based military units to confront this evil, when other informed and experienced professionals think smaller special units, highly trained and pointed to specific targets would save lives and horrific wounds. 

We should thank our Veterans today. And perhaps we should be less enthusiastic in encouraging our young people to take up arms and risk those precious lives in a fight so unlike the the one the ended on 11/11/11. 

Let's thank those who have served. Let's inform ourselves of the options that might require fewer young people, and less treasure, to fight this very different war. 

And too, while we thank all those who have served, if we know those who have faced enemy fire and all to often deal with the after effects of that experience, maybe we could extend a special warm and prolonged thanks for that service. It was costly, and often remains so. 
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#2
Happy

VD
Everybody
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#3
(11-11-2017, 09:51 AM)chuck white Wrote:
Happy

VD
Everybody

Thank the gods for Penicillin!
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#4
I bought my poppy today. I asked the guy why they were blue and not red...like the poem and the poppies...the guy, an elderly vet said: "I think you're thinking of forget me nots". Hmmm. Lots of debate about the poppies which is neither here nor there, but since you brought up Flanders Fields....
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#5
(11-11-2017, 07:11 PM)Juniper Wrote: I bought my poppy today. I asked the guy why they were blue and not red...like the poem and the poppies...the guy, an elderly vet said: "I think  you're thinking of forget me nots".  Hmmm.  Lots of debate about the poppies which is neither here nor there, but since you brought up Flanders Fields....

Red. Maybe the elderly Vet had some blue crepe paper left over. 
https://www.greatbigcanvas.com/view/flanders-fields-poppies,1156226/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-qne3Pu31wIVVSWBCh1fgArwEAQYAyABEgL0_fD_BwE


...and the shabby way we treated the WW1 Vets when it came time for their pensions. 

http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/bonusm.htm
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#6
(11-11-2017, 07:24 PM)Wonky3 Wrote:
(11-11-2017, 07:11 PM)Juniper Wrote: I bought my poppy today. I asked the guy why they were blue and not red...like the poem and the poppies...the guy, an elderly vet said: "I think  you're thinking of forget me nots".  Hmmm.  Lots of debate about the poppies which is neither here nor there, but since you brought up Flanders Fields....

Red. Maybe the elderly Vet had some blue crepe paper left over. 
https://www.greatbigcanvas.com/view/flanders-fields-poppies,1156226/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-qne3Pu31wIVVSWBCh1fgArwEAQYAyABEgL0_fD_BwE


...and the shabby way we treated the WW1 Vets when it came time for their pensions. 

http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/bonusm.htm

Actually, all he had was blue. I asked about the red and he said he hadn't seen red for a few years....I didn't go looking elsewhere....I just got my blue forgetmenotpoppy.
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#7
Poppies are perfect way to celebrate VD.
Since so many of our men guard the poppy fields in Afghanistan.

[Image: poppies-afghanistan-600.jpg]
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#8
(11-11-2017, 09:38 PM)chuck white Wrote: Poppies are perfect way to celebrate VD.
Since so many of our men guard the poppy fields in Afghanistan.

[Image: poppies-afghanistan-600.jpg]

Well Chuck, we all can tolerate some humor mixed in with our solemn reflections of those who bleed out in the trenches, in "no man's land" and the streets of obscure European towns and cites. Young, far from home, often poorly equipped and led, they were robbed of the adult life most get to experience. No "good deaths" in those places. 
"Flanders Fields, where the poppies grow "is history we may well want to look back on with some serious reflection so that we might learn the horror of war is not to be entered into without complete and careful consideration. 
I never want to confuse the political and economic facts of "those poppies" with the poppies of Flanders Fields.
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#9
Perhaps the Flanders fields poppies, are for dead vets. The other for the live ones.

Quote:Rising Use of Opioid Painkillers May Lead Soldiers, Vets to Heroin


http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/...-lead.html
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#10
(11-12-2017, 02:10 PM)chuck white Wrote: Perhaps the Flanders fields poppies, are for dead vets. The other for the live ones.

Quote:Rising Use of Opioid Painkillers May Lead Soldiers, Vets to Heroin


http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/...-lead.html

Whatever.  Wink
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