Getting To That Time Of Year

[Subdeacon Joe]

 

 

 

 

 

[Alpo]

That last one there is one of the dumber things I've ever heard of.

 

We've been at War for 4 years. We've been shooting and blowing up and bombing and now we're going to quit. The war is over. At 11:00. But it's 10:55 so we're still going to keep shooting!!!!

 

If we've decided to stop the war at 11:00, what the hell difference is me firing off some cannon at 10:55 going to do?

 

But that's what they did.

[Wallaby Jack, SASS #44062]

39 minutes ago, Alpo said:

That last one there is one of the dumber things I've ever heard of.

 

We've been at War for 4 years. We've been shooting and blowing up and bombing and now we're going to quit. The war is over. At 11:00. But it's 10:55 so we're still going to keep shooting!!!!

 

If we've decided to stop the war at 11:00, what the hell difference is me firing off some cannon at 10:55 going to do?

 

But that's what they did.

 

 

  .......... less stuff to take back .......  ?  😉

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 hour ago, Alpo said:

That last one there is one of the dumber things I've ever heard of.

 

We've been at War for 4 years. We've been shooting and blowing up and bombing and now we're going to quit. The war is over. At 11:00. But it's 10:55 so we're still going to keep shooting!!!!

 

If we've decided to stop the war at 11:00, what the hell difference is me firing off some cannon at 10:55 going to do?

 

But that's what they did.

 

Worse....the Armistice could have been signed a few days before,  but some fathead liked the idea of "the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," and so held it up for a couple of days .

 

Even worse than that idiocy is that the were attacks ordered to begin within an hour of that time.

 

Last American death,  11 November,  1918, at 10:58.  https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/last-american-death-wwi

 

The two groups had been watching each other,  everyone knowing that it was to end soon and just hoping to wait it out.  Well, almost everyone. 

 

A couple of pieces I've read about it , possibly all originating from the same source,  suggest that he was somewhat bitter that he hadn't killed any Huns and,  without orders charged the Germans. 

Edited November 7 by Subdeacon Joe

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

8 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

 

 

 

 

Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time is one of favorite songs.  Has been since the first time I heard it, must have been close to 30 years ago.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 11/7/2024 at 8:50 PM, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time is one of favorite songs.  Has been since the first time I heard it, must have been close to 30 years ago.

I have to elaborate on this.  I was in the Montclair Plaza in Southern California with my wife and daughter on some holiday where there were a lot of veterans around.  We were just outside Nordstroms and there was a moment of silence when they played this song (imagine that happening in California today).  It got very quiet and I found myself sitting on my heels with my back against a wall.  I've never been a crier, but I had tears running down my face and I couldn't quit shaking.

 

An old man walked over a said "You go ahead and let it out, son.  I've got you  covered", and he turned his back to me and blocked me from view.  My wife came over and stood next to him until Kelly finished the song.  He helped me up and patted me on the back and walked away.

 

I never saw him again, don't know anything about him, and I'd never bawled before and haven't since.  My wife told me that was the only time she'd ever seen me cry, and then said, "I didn't even tell him thanks."  My daughter showed up about that time and she has never seen me cry.

 

My thanks go out to an old veteran wearing a WWII US Army Airforce  baseball cap.  Pappy, you were there when I needed someone and I hope and pray that there were people who were there for you when you needed a friend.

Edited November 9 by Forty Rod SASS 3935

[Subdeacon Joe]

13 minutes ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

I have to elaborate on this.  I was in the Montclair Plaza in Southern California with my wife and daughter on some holiday where there

were a lot of veterans around.  We were just outside Nordstroms and there was a moment of silence when they played this song (imagine that happening in California today).  It got very quiet and I found myself sitting on my heels with my back against a wall.  I've never been a crier, but I had tears running down my face and I couldn't quit shaking.

 

An old man walked over a said "You go ahead and let it out, son.  I've got you  covered", and he turned his back to me and blocked me from view.  My wife came over and stood next to him until Kelly finished the song.  He helped me up and patted me on the back and walked away.

 

I never saw him again, don't know anything about him, and I'd never bawled before and haven't since.  My wife told me that was the only time she'd ever seen me cry, and then said, "I didn't even tell him thanks."  My daughter showed up about that time and she has never seen me cry.

 

My thanks go out to an old veteran wearing a WWII USAC baseball cap.  Pappy, you were there when I needed someone and I hope and pray that there were people who were there for you when you needed a friend.

 

WOW!  Thanks for telling that.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

This is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Cenotaph in the centre of Ottawa.

It is now tradition that we place our Poppies on his tomb after the Wreath laying ceremony on November 11

Edited November 10 by Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474

[watab kid]

two days away , but the anniversary of my fathers [a vet] passing , it was in 2000 so he missed 911 and a lot of other chit but saw his share in the pacific in WWII , so i make time to remember 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 11/8/2024 at 8:33 PM, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

WOW!  Thanks for telling that.

This is the first time I have ever told it to anyone.  I guess I'm getting maudlin in my old age.

[Subdeacon Joe]

45 minutes ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

This is the first time I have ever told it to anyone.  I guess I'm getting maudlin in my old age.

 

Well, I found it downright inspiring.  You can bet that the gentleman who patted you on the back had his own moment like that way back when.  And whoever patted him on the back when he needed it had his own moment.  

It's what strong men do.

[Trailrider #896]

Remember, Veterans Day is not only about those who gave their all for our country, but about every man and woman who has served, in one capacity or another, whether as a clerk typist or four-star general, who did what they were ordered to do, to the best of their ability, whether for a long career, or their minimum tour of duty.  At my veterans post meeting, this morning, we heard from a retired army colonel, who is a real warrior, and has been a bunch of places when hell was in session. We also said Happy Birthday to one member who just celebrated his 101st! 

Happy Veterans Day to all who served and are serving now!  And Happy Birthday to the Marines!