In Canada, Veterans Day is called Remembrance Day. Same holiday, same theory, same date (the day that World War I ended, called Armistice Day before that).
I like Veterans Day. I like it a lot. But I like the word "remembrance." To me, it's not enough to honor our Veterans. We should remember them. We should remember what we did. We should remember that they died, and they did it for us.
(Note that this isn't directed to Americans. Or Canadians. Whoever you are -- wherever you are -- someone in the course of human history has fought for your people, for your rights, for your survival. And some of those people have died. Nobility is not regional. Sacrifice is a part of the human condition.)
I am an American. No matter what else I might be, no matter my opinions of our administration or of the things being done in our name, I am an American. I am proud of my country. I am proud of its ideals. I am proud to be able to say "I am an American." In my office, I have a small flag up on my bulletin board, and I have facsimiles of the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution on my walls.
Those documents are there, and I'm in this office, free to write whatever I want in this post, are thanks to the people who put themselves on the line for my nation and for me.
It is not enough to honor them. We must remember them.
This list is exclusively American. If you are not American yourself, it's up to you to compile the appropriate list for your own fallen.
- The American Revolution: ten thousand, six hundred and twenty three missing, killed and wounded.
- The War of 1812: six thousand, seven hundred and sixty-five missing, killed and wounded.
- The Mexican War: seventeen thousand, four hundred and thirty five missing, killed and wounded.
- The American Civil War: six hundred and thirty four thousand, seven hundred and three Union missing, killed and wounded, three hundred and thirty five thousand, five hundred and twenty four confederate missing, killed and wounded, totalling nine hundred and seventy thousand, two hundred and twenty seven missing, killed and wounded.
- The Spanish-American War: four thousand, one hundred and eight missing, killed and wounded.
- World War I: three hundred and twenty thousand, seven hundred and ten missing, killed and wounded.
- World War II: one million, seventy-eight thousand, one hundred and sixty two missing, killed and wounded.
- The Korean War: one hundred thirty six thousand, nine hundred and thirty five missing, killed and wounded.
- The Vietnam War: two hundred and eleven thousand, four hundred and seventy one missing, killed and wounded.
- The Gulf War: Seven hundred and sixty missing, killed and wounded.
This list details two million, seven hundred and fifty seven thousand, one hundred and ninety six missing, killed and wounded American servicemen and women since the American Revolution.
It is also incomplete.
It does not include the tens of millions of Americans who went to war, fought for their ideals, and returned home, unscathed in body but marked and enduring in spirit.
It does not include those Americans missing, killed or wounded in border actions, in disputes. In operations. In Somalia. In Grenada. In unofficial conflicts with the Warsaw Pact over the course of a generation. In military actions throughout the world not big enough to be considered an official or unofficial war.
It does not include those Americans missing, killed or wounded in wars and conflicts that were not official members of our Armed Services. It does not include spies. It does not include civilians who assumed the role of soldiers when the time came, with or without support. It does not include the men and women of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, who were not soldiers but who willingly laid down their lives to protect America.
It does not include the men and women who fought and died in Afghanistan following September 11.
And it does not include the seventeen thousand, six hundred and twenty six Americans missing, killed and wounded as of this writing in the ongoing mission in Iraq.
One of those Americans was named Jay Aubin. He was a Major in the United States Marine Corps. He was from Waterville, Maine. I happened to know him, somewhat, from my brief time in the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps during college. We compared notes about people we knew, and his name stuck in my head.
Major Aubin was a pilot. He actually had the honor of piloting Marine One on several occasions. He was also a trainer of new pilots.
He was assigned to the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. On March 20, 2003, Major Aubin was killed when his CH-46E helicopter went down.
I saw his face on the news. The shock of recognician was palpable. I knew him. It was from years before, and maybe he'd never have remembered me, but I remembered him. And he was dead.
I remembered him.
I remember him.
And I always will.
211,000 in Vietnam? Sheesh, what a waste.
Had no idea the Iraq number was so high. That really surprises me.
The news only reports killed in action, John. They don't tend to report numbers of the wounded.
At my school we held a memorial service to honor the dead. It's a catholic school, so it was probably lovely. I didn't attend, but I did help set up. We had approximately 30 18-20 year olds writing the names of soldiers killed in Iraq. Over 2,000 crosses, each one for a soldier. Two nights ago I was one of 8 people hammering the little crosses into the ground by the cemetary. It ended up being quite lovely.
My uncle served in World War II. It's within the realm of possibility that he doesn't remember that, but I do.
Makin' me cry at work. Foul!
Seriously, though. My nephew Jon is currently in Germany, preparing to be shipped out to Iraq. He will be 20 in December. He's an Eagle Scout, and volunteered for the Army because he felt it was the right thing to do.
He's the type who'll dive into a burning building to save another - he even took extra training so he could be a field medic if needed. He's the guy whose Army buddies call him The Bouncer when he goes to clubs, as he's apt to toss guys out for harassing the ladies.
I miss him terribly, and I pray to whoever's listening that he won't be one of those we Remember. I pray too that his gentle spirit (carefully protected by the tough-guy BS, of course) not be scarred too badly by what he'll see there.
Beautiful essay, Eric. Well spoken.
"I am proud to be able to say 'I am an American.'" sits uncomfortably next to the toll of dead and maimed needed, apparently every generation, to keep America running. One cannot but wonder whether something that must be held in place by so much violence is really such a good idea.
No dishonor to the men who died, though. They bought us the opportunity to make a better country. It is not their fault we did not take it.
We know their dream; enough
To know they dreamed and are dead . . .
Maybe the best way to remember their sacrifices is to work forward that nobody ever again has to loose ones life in war again.
Alot of them died for the prospect of a better world, be it because they were drafted, volunteered or simply saw no other change. It's time for us left here to actually start making one.
:/
There is a similar toll for almost every modern nation. There is a similar toll for every region of the planet.
My pride in my nation is undiminished. However, I dare not ever forget the cost. And I agree that it's incumbent upon their beneficiaries to work for a better world, and a better way.
But part of that is acknowledging the sacrifice they've made.
I was originally puzzled that there was a much greater number for World War II than the total number for the Civil War, as I'd always heard that the Civil War killed more Americans than any other. But, of course, your figures include the wounded and in World War II we had morphine, so many more soldiers lived than would have before. Probably faster transport to the hospitals as well, and certainly more options when they got there.
But yeah, they've tried to make liberal a dirty word, they've tried to co-opt to American Flag as a right wing symbol, but I'm still an American and I'm still just as grateful for the men and women willing to risk their lives for the country, I just wish they didn't get used quite so much.
I thank you for remembering the Korean War, Eric. It was overshadowed by Vietnam, and to judge recent rhetoric, it still is. Good men walked into that country, and about 50,000 never walked out. They didn't get a memorial until 1995.
I was in the Army from 1990 to 1996 and served in Desert Storm. I'm now a graphic designer making ads and catalogs so rich people can buy really expensive coins. Everyone in my department knows I'm a veteran, and a couple of people know I've been seeing counselor to deal with the anger, guilt and confusion I've felt since we reinvaded Iraq. Not one person has mentioned Veteran's Day to me today.
Thank you for remembering. It means more to me and other vets than you know.
In writing my own list I found it quite difficult to find casualty lists of Canada's early wars (Seven Years' War, War of 1812, Fenian Raids and the First Boer War). Here's what I could find:
That's 157,052 killed and 229,244 wounded, for a total of 386,296 casualties.
I remember, or, as they say in french, Je me souviens.
I remember those who defended our freedom. I also remember those who were/are *told* they were defending our freedom.
a small little note that was pointed out on the radio today, here in DC.
Memorial Day is for remembering those who lost their lives serving their country. Veterans Day is for remembering ALL vets, whether they saw combat or not, because they all were willing to accept that possibility.
As I think I've mentioned before, until recently, I worked as an IT contractor with the military. The majority of that was 'on site' meaning I was working along side enlisted personnel and officers. I know I'll never have a more important job, then supporting them.
So tonight, a glass of the good whiskey in honor of all those who signed up. Whether they wanted to or not, they did. And Keith, a special toast for you. Thank you.
And as a little aside, yesterday was the Marines' Birthday. A crazier bunch of people, you will never meet, and I mean that in a good way.
There's a wonderful little poem that Canadian (and I suppose Commonwealth in general) veterans say in remembrance of the fallen:
They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morn', we will remember them.
We will remember.
Everytime that it is said, it makes me remember one more fact about those who died in war: they were overwhelmingly young. My age (mid-20s) or, in most cases, younger.
I like the name Remembrance Day. Veterans Day implies that it is a day for veterans only. Or for those who know them.
Remembrance Day implies so many other things:
- Remembering those who have fallen
- Remembering those who are serving in far off lands today to preserve our freedoms
- Remembering the causes and consequences of war in general so that it can be avoided.
- Something that EVERYONE should participate in.
I was glad to hear that all public transit buses in Vancouver (where I live) stopped at 11:00am this morning for two minutes of silence to remember. Unfortunately, they probably got honked at.
There are always some people who don't remember.
No edit button. The poem should read:
They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morn', we will remember them.
We will remember.
I missed line #4 the first time 'round.
My great-great-great grandfather and his brother both fought for the Union in the Civil War, with Uncle Ezeriah (the brother) dying somewhere in Virginia.
My grandfather on my father's side was a pharmacist, who was deaf in one ear. Since he couldn't fight, he was drafted to his job, and served as both a pharmacist and a makeshift doctor when so many of the doctors in the region were sent overseas. My grandfather on my mother's side was in Italy during the war.
My husband's grandfather fought in Korea.
My dad served in the coast guard during Vietnam. It was luck of the draw that stuck him in the mid-Atlantic chasing icebergs, then off Rockaway Beach saving tourists who didn't know how to use their boats. (Which isn't to say nobody ever shot at him. Drunk tourists are dangerous.) He lost most of his high school class to Vietnam though, so I can't say he escaped unscathed.
There aren't any soldiers in my family in my generation, which bothers me sometimes. I feel like I let the family down somehow by not standing up for this nation. My brother's a captain on the local fire company, and runs into burning buildings while everyone else is out. I remember the police, firefighters, EMS, and port authority workers who died at the World Trade Center trying to save lives just as my father and grandfathers did.
Because really, every man and woman who have served did so to save lives by putting their own on the line. I remember.
Lucastds: We have the same thing here in Aus, with the exception that there's an extra line: 'Lest we forget'. Quite a popular line that, we use it on Anzac day too.
Also some nice music that goes with it that is either called the Last Post or Chops and I can't remember which.
I am sorry to say I actually forgot about Rememberance day yesterday, (though I was studying so I was no doubt silent at 11 anyway but still) which I feel bad about. I'm not a military type of person but both my grandfathers and other family members fought for things they beleive in and though they were lucky enough to get out in one piece I don't think you could ever say they were unscathed.
Australia has never been huge on wars, we tend to either follow the US or the UK into whatever they are doing, and for the most part I like to think we fight the right wars. Before Afghanistan the biggest military action taken by our guys in recent years was peace keeping in East Timor during their vote for sovereignty from Indonesia and that was a big deal here (and I'd like to think a better application of military might than we are currently involved in).
I'd like to think that to truly love your contry, you have to acknowledge all of the bad things it has done, so you can try to correct them. Because if you love it, you want to make it better.
I always think of two people on Veteran's Day. One is my grandfather, who fought in WWII. Of all my family, I always felt he was the most like me and understood me the best. He was always a peaceful man, but knowing he fought in that war (and almost got killed not by enemy fire but army incompetence) made me understand that even the most peaceful man understands when to fight. I still miss him.
The other is Kurt Vonnegut - it's also his birthday. And I think how he also fought in that war, and his experiences later led to one of the best books I've ever read, Slaughterhouse-Five. That showed me that even in the most just and righteous of wars, it's all senseless and pointless death.
I don't know anyone, past or present, who was in any other conflict. Still, I appreciate them all.
Every male member of my family served during war except my maternal grandfather, and the members of my generation. My brother and I came of age just after Gulf War I, a time where military service seemed more like a career path out of poverty than a patriotic duty. My grandfather already had five kids when the draft rolled around, and we believe that his local draft official noticed this and convieniently "lost" his paperwork. My father, in the late sixties, finished his fourth year of college without a degree. Realizing that he would be drafted, he instead enlisted to ensure that his tour would end during a summer so that he could return to school in the fall afterwards (assuming he survived). Later he discovered that his number was a few hundred over the line and he wouldn't have been drafted. Irony.
Anyways, this is about remembrance. Since this is a Canada-centric board, I figure someone ought to contribute Canada's greatest contribution to war related discourse:
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.
Peace be with you.
Well as a Pole our list of conflicts is a bit longer and involves a number of conflicts whose exact body counts are as easy to find. So I'll just mention that in Poland 11.11 is Independence Day. One of the things that World War I did was force the collapse of the Austrian, German, Russian, and Turkish empires, allowing the nations of Eastern and Central Europe to once again strive for independence. It also led to them all fighting border conflicts which ended up having some of the larger eating up some of the smaller (the USSR expanded, for instance).
Vilious said:
"One cannot but wonder whether something that must be held in place by so much violence is really such a good idea."
Judging by how upset and willing to fight people who have lost their country tend to be, I think you're getting yours on a real discount of violence.
"In Flanders' fields" is not only a great poem, but when set to music for four-part choir is pretty much amazing.
Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries
These, in the day when heaven was falling,
The hour when earth's foundations fled,
Followed their mercenary calling
And took their wages and are dead.
Their shoulders held the sky suspended;
They stood, and earth's foundations stay;
What God abandoned, these defended,
And saved the sum of things for pay.
~A.E. Housman~
Even those fighting for causes not their own deserve to be remembered.
I'm not sure if the dead of the American Revolution should be considered on an equal baisis with the dead of modern conflicts. Those recently dead are remembered and grieved for by their families and friends. Those dead for over a century would be just as dead now if they had not died in combat.
And I'd like to second Elve. You try having a country for more than a thousand years in a spot which is frequently the focus point for military conflicts. I can guarantee our death toll is at least twice that.
One of my favorite songs for remembering the sacrifices would be And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (a real audio version of the song, performed by its writer, can be found here)
Personally, I've had family in all US conflicts from WWII trough Vietnam. My paternal grandfather was captured during WWII and was kept at Stolic (sp?) 13, later to be made famous by Hogan's Heros. In Korea, my mom's uncle was a doctor at MASH 4077. He hated the show, which he felt trivalised what he had been through. Of my mom's 4 brothers, three were in Veitnam (the fourth didn't turn 18 until the war was ending)
As for,
The point of Rememberance day is not about morning those who died too early. As I mentioned before, Rememberance Day is for ALL troops. If they made the sacrifice, they deserve to be honored. It doesn't matter if they died, were wounded, our never even saw combat. They gave up their freedoms (in the US, at least) to defend the freedoms of others, they deserve to be honored.
lucastds mentioned the transit buses stopping in Vancouver at 11am. I think that is great. Here, our transit isnt all that um, plentiful, but I'll assume they did too. The only thing different, is that I know that cars were pulling over to the side of the road for the moment of silence at 11am. In Nova Scotia, or at least this part of Cape Breton, its almost sacreligious to not observe on November 11th.
As far as military action, my paternal grandfather did not see action in WWII (he went over for cleanup), but my maternal grandfather (from what I've been told) stormed Normandy beach, and survived. My father has a brother who was in the army for a time, but is no longer and never saw any sort of combat, and none of my mother's siblings enlisted. Nor, has anyone of my generation, yet anyway.
The British did the same thing at 11 am on the 11th. They call it Armistice Day and they harken back to World War I. I like that name better than the other two names I've heard.
There is this Puetro Rican boy I have known for several years now. He and I lived in the same apartment complex, in fact he also worked in that apartment. He was a Physics student here at the University of Missouri - Columbia. I thought he was a graduate student, but it turns out he was going for both his bachelor's, but he knew so much about physics I mistook him for a grad student. He was the kind of broad smiling guy that girls just fell for him whether they were dating or not.
He also was a member of the National Guard, and like so many reservists, he was sent to Iraq to fight and do his job as a mechanic. Unfortunately, he died in an ambush on June 6th, 2004. That pretty much made the conflict hit home to me, and it kind of made it hard to see the stars in the night sky for a while. See, Melvin Y Mora wanted to be an astromoner and wanted nothing more than to go back to his lovely home on the island of Puerto Rico and teach children how to gaze up at the heavens and see all of the countless stars in the night sky. Hopefully now, he is but one of those countless stars, shining back down upon us.
Sweeney: that is a good song, the sad thing is the last few lines are pretty much true now. The last Anzac that saw active service died recently (within a few days of Rosa Parks I think actually) so it's a bit of a bummer.
Anzac day always made a lot of sense to me actually, it's basically a holiday celebrating the biggest militray cock up (they were sent to the wrong landing site, we like to blame the british for that one but thats just our national asshattery) and slaughter to befall our nation during war. At least that is how it is remembered, so if we are going to remember something about war that should be it.
Lest we forget.
I wish I had my copy of David Brin's novel, Earth. I'm sure I'm butchering the quote, but in one of the most moving passages I've ever read it is said,"There may come a time when the world no longer needs soldiers, but it will always need heroes." If anyone has a copy of the book, feel free to correct me.
If that isn't the exact quote from Brin, it needs to be a quote from someone.
It isn't the exact quote from Brin, but it's close. I read that book - also, I read the Aboriginal Science Fiction issue with that excerpt from "Earth".
...and I can't find the quote anywhere online! Everyone quotes the passage from "The Postman" about corruption and power.
Hah! My dad has reminded me that Amazon.com has the full text of some books online. And "Earth" was one of them.
Brin, David. Earth. New York: Bantam, 1994. pg. 197. Amazon.com Nov. 13, 2005 <http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/055329024X/ref=sib_rdr_next3_ex197/002-5906877-1472836?%5Fencoding=UTF8&keywords=soldier%20heroes&p=S05V&twc=1&checkSum=buSo47PwpaqBqVHa8952JCM12pwhbreuIqEIlE%2FaRdI%3D#reader-page>
(Yes, I did just attempt to make an MLA-formatted citation for this quote. I regret nothing!)