Above is pictured World War I veteran, Joseph Ambrose, 86, at the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982. He's holding the flag of his son, who was killed in the Korean War.
It's sad for parents to out-live their children. Even more poignant for parents whose children have given their life for their country.
One World War I solider, who was killed in action, was Private Martin Treptow. In his inaugural address in 1981, Ronald Reagan gave speech to remember who we are, honoring veterans and their sacrifices.
We see a legacy of the Great War this coming Monday. Signing the Armistice to cease the hostilities of this war at 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - November 11, 1918 - has evolved to the national holiday we recognize as Veterans Day. (History of Veterans Day - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs)
And on such a holiday, we are most thankful for all the veterans, who have put themselves in harm's way to defend us and keep us safe. Where are all the veterans of the Great War, in which this holiday first honored?
As the link above indicates, many remember Alvin York as the laconic reluctant hero from the 1941 movie, Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper. And Sergeant York did not seek the lime light as he had condemned war and even questioned America's involvement in World War One. But later he saw war as a necessary evil under some circumstances.
Sergeant York agreed to have the movie made seeing Hitler as the personification of evil. And a film of his life would to help to combat the isolationist stance of the America First Committee, endorsed by Charles Lindbergh. (But the committee as well as America's isolationist stance dissolved after the attack on Pearl Harbor.) (Charles Lindbergh's Noninterventionist Efforts & America First Committee)
Alvin York - Humble Log Cabin Beginnings
Alvin York was born in a log cabin near Pall Mall, Tennessee in 1887. He had little formal education, but worked on the family farm and hunted to help feed the family. Hence, he had developed his skills as a marksman. When his father passed away in 1911, Alvin helped his mother raise his younger brother and sisters.
Alvin York - Sinner
As he came of age, Alvin York had earned a reputation as a deadly accurate shot as well as a hell-raiser. He drank, gambled, fought, had been arrested for bad behavior, and considered a nuisance and someone that "would not amount to anything."
Alvin York - Coming to Jesus
As shown in the clip below, the movie depicts Alvin York literally coming to Jesus after a lightening strike as he was seeking revenge on his rival for cheating him. Most likely this story was an embellishment, but it makes for a good yarn - especially in Hollywood. (Sergeant Alvin York - Mental Floss)
But in 1915, Alvin York embraced the Church of Christ in Christian Union, a fundamental sect that forbade many things including drinking, dancing, movies, swimming, swearing, popular literature, and moral injunctions against violence and war. His conversion may have been prompted by the senseless death of a close friend in a bar fight, whereas Alvin York attended an H. H. Russell revival meeting and came to Jesus, turning from his wicked ways. (reference: The 100 Greatest Heroes)
Alvin York - Conscientious Objector
After the Great War broke out and America entered into the fray in 1917, American men were being drafted. As part of his religion, Alvin York did not believe in killing and violence, which is what war is all about - killing people and breaking things. Turned down by the draft board as a "conscientious objector" since his church was not recognized as a legitimate sect, Alvin York, nearly 30 years old at the time, appealed the decision, but reluctantly went to Camp Gordon for basic training anyway.
The Tennessee native proved himself in training with his excellent marksmen skills. And his superiors were intrigued by this man who wrote on his draft card - "Dont [sic] want to fight." The scene below captures some of this struggle and Alvin York's final decision "to render unto Caesar " hence go to war -
Private Alvin York finally came to the conclusion that there were times when war was moral and ordained by God. He believed that God would keep him safe as he committed himself to become a good soldier. When his regiment of the 82nd Infantry Divisionwas deployed to France, he kept a diary of his adventures. His moment of destiny came on October 8, 1918 in Argonne Forest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France.
Alvin York - War Hero
Then Corporal Alvin C. York with 16 other soldiers were dispatched to take command of the Decauville railroad. Misreading their map (written in French not English), they mistakenly found themselves behind enemy lines. The Americans engaged the enemy resulting in the unexpected surrender of a superior German force.
Once the Germans realized that the Americans only numbered 17 men, the German machine gunners on the hill opened fire on them killing nine Americans and wounding the Sergeant, who turned over command to two of his corporals. The corporals then ordered Alvin York to silence the machine gun, which he did and - using his turkey hunting skills - captured 132 prisoners in the process.
This amazing scene is played out in the clip below
This feat led to Alvin York being designated the “greatest soldier in history” and secure his place in the history books.
Corporal York was promoted to Sergeant York. He continued to fight in France until the Armistice was signed on November 11th. Sergeant York was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor, a Distinguished Service Cross, the Badge of Nobility, and the French Croix de Guerre, among others.
Alvin York - an inspiration 100 years later
Sergeant York has been an inspiration as a reluctant American hero, even likened to Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, and Abraham Lincoln for his roots in the quasi-frontier and a figure rising on the national scene. Much more could be said of his humility, his desire to help educate those in his native Tennessee, and willingness to do what he could to help during World War Two.
And below is a tribute to him after he passed away in 1964,
It happened almost a hundred years ago - the Great War, the World War - now known as World War One, as there would be more than one great world war in the 20th century. For many of us, our great grandparents, grandparents, and even parents may have fought in this war. To all of us still living, the Great War seems like ancient history.
Volumes were written about this war, which H.G. Wells called - "The War That Will End War." For a summary, below is a brief history of the First World War:
The "armistice" to end the war took effect on November 11, 1918 - at the 11th hour of 11th day of 11th month. And became known as - Armistice Day ... later Veteran's Day.
.... 11/11/11 ....
But this year - 2011 - marks a milestone as the the last of the World War One veterans have passed away.
Frank Buckles
The last living U.S. World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, passed away in February this year at the age of 110 - his story. He served in both World Wars. During WW1, he was an ambulance driver. In WW2, he was a POW, captured by the Japanese.
Rest in peace and we are grateful for your service to our country
Claude 'Chuckles' Choules
The last of the front line World War One veterans, Claude 'Chuckles' Choules, passed away in May this year, also at the age of 110 - his story He also served in both World Wars. In WW1, he was a sailor in the Australian Royal Navy; WW2 a demolitions officer in Australia .
May you rest peacefully as your countrymen are grateful for your service to your country as well as your service to all your allies.
When my grandmother passed away in 1975, I collected a metallic shaving mirror inscribed with a sergeant's name. The sergeant was her fiance. His mother sent her the mirror after he was killed in action during the Great War, which we now call World War One.
My grandmother later married a veteran of the Great War, an immigrant from Denmark. (I still have his dog tags.) For his service to his country, my grandfather earned his US citizenship.
My mother said her father talked little about the devastation of the mustard gas that he had witnessed or his life in the trenches, which affected his legs for the next 50 years. It was an experience he wished to put behind him.
This Veterans Day, in memory of the World War One soldiers like my grandfather and my grandmother's first fiance, the following YouTube.com scene is my tribute to their sacrifices as well as the sacrifices of all the men and women who serve their country.
One BBC comedy that I have enjoyed is Blackadder, whose four seasons span various periods of English history. The last season, Blackadder Goes Forth, is set during the Great War. After three weary years in the trenches, the British soldiers finally get the order to "go over the top."
According to BBC news, "The poignant finale of sitcom Blackadder has been voted the best farewell episode of a TV series."
In Flanders Fields
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.
- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
Other links from YouTube.com:
In Flanders Fields
(tribute of music and images set to the words of the poem above.)
Over There: Remembering WWI
("Vintage Antique Classics" presents "Over There" patriotic music by George M. Cohan, sung by early 20th century Pop sensation Bill Murray.)
