Standin’ here beside ya, want so much to give you
Apart from the ‘traditional’ bank holiday events, its a fact that Bank Holidays here in the UK, and those in the US dont tend to coincide. Today, they did. Oh, and to mark a previous recent blog, this is the last day before I’m officially back on medical leave again, lol. Over here, its just called a Spring Bank Holiday, in the US, its called Memorial Day, when (in theory at least nowadays) they remember all the brave people that have died over the years in various wars. We seem to save all that for Remembrance Sunday in November, because of course its against the end of WW1, on November 11, though most remembrances happen on the closest Sunday to that date now.
Equally, Memorial Day used to (according to Wiki) always be celebrated on May 30, but now, for convenience, happens on the last Monday in May, the same date as our Spring Bank Holiday.
The depressing fact, do you have any idea how many years that the US has been at peace since inception in 1776? A meagre 17! So its fair to assume they have plenty of need for Memorials to be remembered! To be fair, a few of those were for the 2 World Wars, but altogether… Oh, and a few of those were of course an in house war!
So during that long period of time, plenty of brave men, and in more recent times, women, have died in the name of war. Today, in the US at least, is the day designated to remember them. In this country, the weekend seems to have been a bit of a political war, seemingly won by very few, if any.
Let us also remember all the folk everywhere who have had to work today, on a Bank Holiday. I know, not the same thing as giving your life, but as I know from so much of my working life, the talk about weekends, and bank holidays off are a misnomer for some.
But yes, US readers (and the stats tell me I have plenty), take a few minutes today to remember those that gave their lives in defence of yours.
The video choice is a weird one, but if you think about, its a title thats probably apt for all those that went into battle. There is also the fact that some car company are using it in ads over here at present. Oh, and fine, yes I’d love to be turned into a mannequin for a role, just saying…
A day to remember, but a day to celebrate too.
Well, seriously, given the date and everything, what else were you expecting tonight?
Strictly, the centenary of the significance of the 11th November is still 4 years away, but given this is the centenary of the start of World War 1, its a major landmark anyway. And at the 11th hour today, we have, or will (depending on your time zone) remember them.
Not that we just remember those who fell during that awful war, but on the battlefields everywhere, ever since. I suppose, strictly, those who died before too, but its fair to say that 1918 was of course the day that Remembrance Day over here, Veterans Day in the US, is the one that all are remembered for.
No, I’m not going to get political on the matter, though its fair to say that in hindsight, the leaders on both sides in WW1 didnt think too much about planning.
But anyway, for all those brave souls who died then, and since then, I remember, and respect all you did for us, who followed you.
Oh, the celebration? Well, two friends, one long term, one who I have only got to know recently both celebrate their birthday today.
The new one, that wonderful lady who showed Kate, and I around Cherryvale, less than 2 months ago. I think it was towards the end of last year when we first made contact, due to a posting I made about, yes, going to Cherryvale, the home town of Louise Brooks. Finally, I got to meet her in September, and she was just as wonderful to me in real life, as she had been in cyberspace.
Thanks, Tina, hope you’ve had a wonderful day.
Its fair to say I’ve known James a lot longer, though I’m not sure now, just how many years it has been. But in that time, he has become a true friend, a confidant, my editor, to name but 3 things! This man is simply amazing, believe me. Oh, and to top all this, he is the one who has invited me, in less than 2 weeks now, to celebrate Thanksgiving with him, my first time doing so.
So yes, as well as remembering the brave who died fighting for us, I am celebrating the birthday of 2 wonderful people.
The video, well yes, its a war related one, though possibly not one that people would immediately relate to events.
Now Those Days Are Gone
Hey, a rare treat for you, a blog not about me. I know, I know, thats the idea of these things, but as regular readers know, I like to pick out landmarks, and blog about them accordingly. Yes, I would have blogged this tomorrow, but I already know what I’m doing then, and posting 2 on the same day just seems a bit silly.
A couple of days ago, I heard about one of those little landmarks on the news, that the last Battle of Britain pilot surviving, had died at the age of 99. Considering that so many who fought back then didnt even get to reach 25, thats probably quite a landmark to reach, but still a shame he couldnt make the century. Its funny, it doesnt seem that long ago that we lost the last WW1 veteran, but I know he was far older.
So many died for us in that battle, that we might be free today, and its something that should never be forgotten. I know, it wont be, its only about 3 weeks to Remembrance Sunday after all, and the ceremony never seems to lose its special touch. Sadly we still add to the numbers who died back then, but thankfully not in the huge numbers lost in the 2 World Wars.
Its funny to think, give it another 15-20 years or so, and we will have no survivors who fought in a World War, well, at least I hope thats the case in one sense at least.
So as he departs this world, I’d just like to say thanks, for making the place I live a so much better place.
Its possibly almost trite to include a pop video on something like this, but given the title, and the style of the video, I think it fits.
stevielounicks 
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