The Eleventh Month, The Eleventh Day, The Eleventh Hour…

The year is 1918… After more than four years of fighting, papers are finally signed in France by Germany bringing and end to the conflict. Armies started to withdraw from their positions, and a world weary of conflict gave a sigh of relief. Hugs, kisses, laughter, and cheer were present most everywhere… The “War to End All Wars” the “Great War” was over.

Of course, anyone who has studied history knows that this “Great War” did not provide an end to all wars. It ended up being called World War I because a scant twenty years later (as W.W. I officially ended in 1919) World War II broke out with the German invasion of Poland. Once again, the world was thrown into chaos.

Originally, November 11 was called Armistices Day starting in 1938. It was designated as a day to pay respect to our military who served during World War I. However, once our country had come through World War II, some started thinking that maybe we should have a special day to honor our veteran’s from all wars. Changes were made, and ever since 1954, we call November 11 Veteran’s Day.

I have always had a special appreciation for Veteran’s Day going back about as far as I can remember. For one thing, my father was a combat veteran (European and Pacific theaters) of World War II and taught me from an early age the concepts of honor, duty, and patriotism. He would tell me about the war, about his three brothers who also enlisted, but thankfully, never saw combat, along with the reasons why the now called “greatest generation” fought in World War II. For another, Veteran’s Day was the day before my father’s birthday. (He would turn 83 tomorrow were he still alive. Happy Birthday Dad… I love you and miss you…)

Aside from my fascination with World War II, which led to the study of other American wars and history in general, my father also regaled me with the tales of my Grandfather who was an infantry soldier during World War I. Let me digress for a moment…

World War I actually started in 1914. It was a European conflict and at the time, the United States was still for the most part practicing isolationism. So, even though some wanted to enter the fray early, the government stayed out of it. But a few events over the next couple of years changed the American viewpoint. Two primary causes were the sinking of the R.M.S. Lusitania, a British passenger ship, by the Germans in 1915 killing over 100 Americans and the Zimmermann letter (early 1917) sent by Germany to Mexico trying to entice Mexico to attack the United States and reclaim territory lost by Mexico to the U.S. during the middle 1800’s.) Finally, America had enough and declared war on Germany in April of 1917. However, the bulk of our military forces, under the command of Gen. John Pershing, didn’t enter into Europe until the summer months of 1918.

Of the roughly 2,000,000 U.S. military sent to fight in W.W. I, over 115,000 never made it back… And over 200,000 were wounded… World War I saw the end of warfare that was restricted mostly to armies… It saw the end of a code of conduct and chivalry that had been observed for centuries… For the first time, it saw massive civilian casualties, but nothing like in World War II where almost 50% of the dead were civilians. It saw new weapons of destruction; Tanks, submarines, chemical warfare, and airplanes.

This brings me back to my Grandfather… Back home in Illinois, his family was contacted by the War Department informing the family of his death somewhere in France. They were uncertain as to the final disposition of the body due to the war time conditions. They held his funeral; the government presented a flag… But what no one knew at the time was that he actually was not dead. He had suffered a very serious gun shot wound in his abdomen. He was found laying on a battlefield, bleeding, suffering, dying, by a local French family. They took my Grandfather and for the next few months they tended to his wounds, they fed him, they sheltered him, and they hid him from the German patrols. Eventually, my Grandfather was able to travel and they helped him get across enemy territory and back to the American army and, eventually, home.

My Grandfather died before I was born. My Father did not recall the name of the family, but he remembered his dad telling that as he spoke no French and they spoke no English, there was no real communication during his ordeal. Somewhere, in France, I figure that a grandchild or a great-grandchild knows this story from the other side. To you I say, “Thank you…” To the French government (and some other French people) I say, “…It’s still not too late for you to be speaking German!”

It is Veteran’s Day… I’m sure you know a veteran… Thank them for their service, their sacrifice. Regardless of what you think about war and conflict, please remember that our military men and women have kept this a free nation since the American Revolution. I doubt if any of our honored dead went to war with the intention of dying for their country, but we, as a country, have lost millions in conflict.

I will leave you with this to think about… During World War I, on Christmas Eve in 1914, many soldiers from both sides stopped shooting at each other and started to celebrate Christmas. The armies were close enough to each other at some points along the line that they could hear each other singing. After awhile, some soldiers from both sides left their trenches to meet in the middle to exchange gifts and celebrate. There is even official record of a game of football (soccer I think) being held between the foes. This lasted through Christmas (in some parts, through the New Year) and then the shooting began again.

Conflict happens… It always has, and I personally think it always will… But there are moments when differences can be sat aside and mutual respect for one another can thrive. This could be but for a few hours, or a few days, or week, or even years. The longer, the better…

Dad, Granddad, Great-Great-Granddad (Civil War) - thank you for what you did for your country. I remember… And I hope all of you who may read this will remember as well… Happy Veteran’s Day!