Veteran's Day

I may have touched on this before on this blog, but Veteran's day wasn't always known as such. The day was specifically commemorated as Armistice Day because of the ceasing of hostilities between all factions on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in the year of our lord 1918; ceasing what we know now as World War 1, but known at that time as simply "The Great War". 

The Great War was, and still is one of the most horrifically large losses of life the world over, and most unfortunately, one of the most pointless. World War 2, on the other hand had very good reasons for being fought, but without the Great War, would likely never have been needed to fought at all. 

Many times as I see this day pass, many people from a European origin or residence will point out the sweet and reverent tradition that is common in that part of the world of wearing a red poppy in commemoration of the sacrifices made in the war.  Originating specifically because of the poem In Flanders Fields which documented the aftermath of a battle in Belgium in 1915.

A picture of a bronze memorial of the poem at it's author's birthplace. Pic from Wikipedia. 

Some people tend to lament that wearing the red poppy is not more common in the US, but I tend to disagree. I don't think the tradition is bad at all, not in the least. However, as America did not enter the war until 1917, it would seem to me a little presumptuous for Americans to don it (though I certainly don't object to it at all), as the battle in Flanders wasn't fought by us at all. 

As well, being Americans, we tend to (and have intentionally set out to) be different from our European brethren. This shows in almost all things we do, even up to and including spelling words differently from our English friends across the pond. In fact, German ancestry was was far more common and was far more celebrated in the US until the events of WW1, but most Americans decided to disavow their ancestry due to their fierce belief in American ideals and patriotism. Weather right or wrong, the point is simply proven that Americans love doing things their own way, and I don't see why we shouldn't continue to celebrate that. 

As for me, I generally try to do something nice for my co-workers, as most of them are veterans, by getting some donuts for the office or something.  Generally, most of them can't stand people verbally thanking them for their service, and I can kinda see why. At the end of the day, I'll like to remember all veterans, but will always try to remember why the day was commemorated for the end of WW1 as well. Usually doing so by watching the last episode of Blackadder, which always surprises me by how heartfelt and touching it's final scene is.