It's Armistice Day which recognizes the end of fighting of World War I on the Western Front on this date in 1918. This memorial is dedicated to the soldiers from Amboise who lost their lives in the conflict.
"Morts dans la guerre" ... "morts pour la france" ...I seem to recall seeing that in every French cemetery I have meandered through. But I just read that Europe does not recognise this day as much as, say, the Americans do. What do you think, Stuart? Here in Australia we recognise both 11th November and 25th April, the latter being Australia/New Zealand/Turkey ...
That's a good question. It's certainly recognized in Amboise and of course in a big way inParis, but I'd be hard pressed to compare with the US. It is of course a very solemn event here. The casualites were enormous. Over 4% of the population was killed (both military and civilians). Over 4 million were wounded out of a total population or 39 million. Hard to imagine.
It is commemorated in every town and village throughout France. I'm not sure about the rest of Europe although a new European monument was inaugurated today at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, in northern France (a former battlefield), in the presence of German, British and Belgian officials. The Ring of Memory carries the names of 600,000 soldiers from over 40 countries who died in the region during the war. Names are listed alphabetically without their nationalities http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/europe-remembers-armistice-day-ceremonies-26828663
Thank you for your responses. Perhaps the parts of Europe not directly involved in the fighting are those who are little involved with Armistice Day. The statistics you mention are shattering, Stuart.
Remember the controversy when Sarkozy wanted to make 11/11 a Veteran's day rather than just Armistice Day 1918? Nicely typical of this country. Cool post for today.
Thanks. I just returned from the local ceremonies. As usual, it was very moving. I like the way they integrate the kids into it. Hopefully, they will remember what this is all about.
I tend to agree with Ciel. To make the day more general dilutes the importance of THAT event. WW1 (IMO) was more earth shattering than WW2 because it swallowed a generation AND those left were knocked off their "axis". What followed was a kind of "lost generation".
Involving children is important for two reasons: war should be avpoided at all costs; and, we owe our ancestors the respect of knowing who they were.
MORE EARTH SHATTERING THAN.WW2 ? THIS LADY MAYBE FORGETS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE JEWS . WAR SHOULD BE AVOIDED. YES BUT WAR IS AN INDUSTRY AND A BIG BUSINESS ELIAS
"Morts dans la guerre" ... "morts pour la france" ...I seem to recall seeing that in every French cemetery I have meandered through. But I just read that Europe does not recognise this day as much as, say, the Americans do. What do you think, Stuart? Here in Australia we recognise both 11th November and 25th April, the latter being Australia/New Zealand/Turkey ...
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. It's certainly recognized in Amboise and of course in a big way inParis, but I'd be hard pressed to compare with the US. It is of course a very solemn event here. The casualites were enormous. Over 4% of the population was killed (both military and civilians). Over 4 million were wounded out of a total population or 39 million. Hard to imagine.
DeleteIt is commemorated in every town and village throughout France. I'm not sure about the rest of Europe although a new European monument was inaugurated today at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, in northern France (a former battlefield), in the presence of German, British and Belgian officials. The Ring of Memory carries the names of 600,000 soldiers from over 40 countries who died in the region during the war. Names are listed alphabetically without their nationalities http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/europe-remembers-armistice-day-ceremonies-26828663
DeleteThank you for your responses. Perhaps the parts of Europe not directly involved in the fighting are those who are little involved with Armistice Day. The statistics you mention are shattering, Stuart.
DeleteRemember the controversy when Sarkozy wanted to make 11/11 a Veteran's day rather than just Armistice Day 1918? Nicely typical of this country. Cool post for today.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I just returned from the local ceremonies. As usual, it was very moving. I like the way they integrate the kids into it. Hopefully, they will remember what this is all about.
DeleteI tend to agree with Ciel. To make the day more general dilutes the importance of THAT event. WW1 (IMO) was more earth shattering than WW2 because it swallowed a generation AND those left were knocked off their "axis". What followed was a kind of "lost generation".
DeleteInvolving children is important for two reasons: war should be avpoided at all costs; and, we owe our ancestors the respect of knowing who they were.
so beautiful in the mist
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photograph.
ReplyDeleteI really love your photo, Stuart.
ReplyDeleteMORE EARTH SHATTERING THAN.WW2 ? THIS LADY MAYBE FORGETS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE JEWS . WAR SHOULD BE AVOIDED. YES BUT WAR IS AN INDUSTRY AND A BIG BUSINESS
ReplyDeleteELIAS
A beautiful, poignant shot.
ReplyDelete