[From a letter to The New York Times, published as “Two Minutes’ Silence: Plans for the World-Wide Celebration of Armistice Day.” November 9, 1922.]
The first World War ended on November 11, 1918. Armistice Day was observed the next year. In 1954, Armistice Day became Veterans Day. I wonder what the writer of this letter would make of 2022.
Friday, November 11, 2022
Veterans Day
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
comments: 2
In the British Commonwealth countries it is called Remembrance Day, which to me is more fitting since that implies it will continue to be observed after the present war veterans have passed away,
and implies that it is to remember the nonveterans, forever young, whose bodies are overseas. "They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old..."
So as the day nears many people will wear a paper (now plastic) poppy in remembrance. From the poem by a Canadian In Flanders Fields.
I agree — the word itself leaves out the dead, though in the States there’s also Memorial Day, which honors only those who died in military service. Poppies go with Memorial Day.
Post a Comment