WWI Veterans Remember Their Service
CNN has an article (from Tuesday, November 11, 2003) about two men who are among fewer than 200 surviving U.S. veterans of the Great War out of 4.7 million who served. Please read it at: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/11/11/veterans.remember.ap/
Before Veterans Day, there was Armistice Day, a commemoration of the cease-fire that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. What do the Veterans recall about this day? What are some of their other memories? Assess some of the hardships they faced in their service. Can you hypothesize from their accounts the sort of feelings that were felt about the war and Americans in general?
Before Veterans Day, there was Armistice Day, a commemoration of the cease-fire that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. What do the Veterans recall about this day? What are some of their other memories? Assess some of the hardships they faced in their service. Can you hypothesize from their accounts the sort of feelings that were felt about the war and Americans in general?
posted by Mrs. Osimanti at 2:24 PM
11 Comments:
I think that anyone who participated in WWI or WWII did it because they knew how important it was. They knew that it was going to be a big part of history and they wanted to make sure that they stood up for what they believed in. The generations who fought in WWI and WWII were connected by a sense of united because of those wars, sacrifices had to be made, and everyone had to do their part. I think that the memories that most war veterans have of the Great War are memories of the best times, and of the worst times.
I couldn't get the link to work, but I would imagine that Veterans/Armistice Day is pretty emotional for all veterans, especially those who fought in World War I. A lot of people probably lost a friend in battle so Veterans Day is a good time for them to reflect on their friends' lives and how lucky they are to still be alive. Also the veterans probably appreciate our country more than most other people who might take our freedoms for granted since they had to risk their lives for it.
Why did they change the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day anyway?
Mr. Law was very lucky to have not been near so much fighting or chemical warfare. However, the article said that he was 16 when he enlisted. Most of the people in our grade are around 16, and I think it was very brave of him to enlist in what he thought was important at so young an age.
When looking for the age of admissions for the Army (which is now 17) I found the US Army Info Site, as well as the admissions requirements, and I think its pretty interesting as for what is required, such as age, aptitude, job types you may be interested in, etc: http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/enlist.html#req
Anyway, the men who enlist in the millitary services, American or not, should always be appreciated. They had some hard times and some liberating times (such as assisting POW's back home) and I really think its awesome to still have people who can share their experiences about a world war that happened nearly 100 years ago.
I think any one who enlists in the military is extremely brave. Especially at such a young age like the Veteran Law. He enlisted in the army when he was only 16, and like Amelia said, thats how old many people in our grade are. Just because he was never in direct gunshot does not make him any less brave. Like Amanda said, he was courageous and modest. Furthermore, no one forced him to join the war, he did it because he felt it was important. I believe that is a truely amazing characterstic, that he would do something dangerous because it was something he believed in.
I personally have a huge respect for anyone who was ever in a war. I feel that it takes great courage and strength do to so. I think that soldiers and veterans deserve to be appreciated. I think that we are so lucky to have veterans alive today who fought in these wars that we are learning about. We have primary resources to the war and we should really appreciate that.
I think a veteran must be so proud of him or herself when recalling the war they fought in. They would remember all the hardships they went through, but also how those difficulties changed them. It must have been so hard to see their fellow soldiers die, espeically if it was their friend dying. However, once the war is over and people show their appreciation for these soldiers, that must be a great feeling.
I believe that Law and Buckles both went into the war because they felt responsibility on behalf of their country to go to war. I also think that they knew that they did not have to join the war effort, but they did anyway because they had pride in the U.S.'s decision to join the war. I think both of them realize how lucky they were living in the United States at that time, and when they got back, I think they realized how lucky they were to have survived the war, and now they are lucky to have done all of this and live to an incredible age.
This article was from a couple years ago, and I am wondering if Mr. Law and Mr. Buckles are still alive today. For that matter, how many WWI veterans are still alive? It has to be very few. Its a scary thought that 20 years from now, a history class might be reading an article on the last 200 WWII veterans, or last 200 holocaust survivors. We, as a nation, should recognize WWII veterans right now while we still have the chance.
The veterans will remember their past expiriences on this day. They will remmeber what vthey went through the good and the bad. They participated in WWI to protects their beliefs in freedom and democracy. In battling for their beliefs I think they set thev standard for others to fight for in future generations.
I think that many of them will remember their friends and other soldiers that faught among them, or else the feeling they got when they heard the war was over. Hover, I think many of them tried to suppress as much of it as they could, and tried not to bring back the memories, for they were painful.
Veterans recall the joy of this day because everyone was so relieved to have the war come to an end. Their other memories include not only the hardships of war but instances where other people stood up for them because they were standing up for what they believe in, like the incidence with the Russian prince. People that go to war have to deal with a lot. It’s a lot to deal with mentally as well as physically. You have to be fit enough to survive but you also have to have a strong mind to deal with the death and troubled people around you. Not everyone liked Americans in general so it was hard for them thought this war.
At the end of the war, these veterans were probably so overwelled with joy that not only they ere finished fighting but that their county played a major role in finishing the job and giving the Allie Powers the edge over Germany. I think that vets of WWI have a special appreciation for life and America. They are extremely nationalistic and have great pride in their contry.
I also think that they might baby the country. They do not want America to make the same mistakes that it did in the past since htey have been around to see it all. I would think they do not want American to go to war in Iraq becuase they do not want young men going off and seeing the horrible sights of war that they saw as young boys.
It's crazy how long people can live for. It sounds like Frank Buckles has had an extraordinary life. Not only did he serve in the First World War but he was a POW in World War II. These men really did give a lot for their country.
Law said that Armistice Day was an incredible day, where everyone was celebrating the end of such a tragic war. The men had to face harsh life in the trenches, disease, poison gas, and enemy soldiers, yet they still managed to live on. I think this type of dedication was what gave America and its people such a good reputation in those days. People despised the war and its longevity, so on Armistice Day, there must have been a feeling of huge relief.
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