V11 N. 72 Tribute to Olympians Lost in War

 Olympians Lost in War     link to article  

Once again nearing the date of November 11,  Armistice Day we re-publish this now seven-years old article about those Olympians who died in war.  World War One ended on November 11, 1918 at the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour. And we commemorate that agreement on this holiday.   The last person killed before a cease fire must be the unluckiest person on earth, but there have been so many wars in our national histories, that group of last persons killed could fill an arena.  And those killed during war are really no less unlucky, and those who survive wounded, disfigured, going through mental anguish, or left in a refugee situation are also no less unlucky, and those who wait for a loved one who will never come home are no less unlucky.    

What a strange word,  "unlucky".  It can be used so many ways to define so many situations.   Some think you are born unlucky, because of your parents, your family situation, what's going on around you, what gifts or physical attributes you lack.  Others think you can change your luck by mental and physical preparation.  Obviously that thesis does not hold water when these men and women at the peak of physical prime still succumb to the effects of war.  .  The soap salesmen call it 'service to our country' to keep the young going to  the enlistment offices.  And if they don't go in sufficient numbers we draft them.  

General George Patton summed it up quite well.  "The goal is not to die for your country, but to make the other poor son of a bitch die for his."

And so let's think of those who have been affected in so many ways by war.  One doesn't have to wait for a national anthem to remember them.   And it should be remembered that  there is also someone listening to another national anthem somewhere else whose people are remembering  the opposing cause. 

George Brose  

  I absolutely loved your comments on Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day.  You have described the American mindset as well as I have ever heard it stated.  We seem to think that only wars and military define our country, missing out on our finest traits, both physical and with our character.  Ours is truly a wonderful country and so blessed as well but we need to share that blessing with others which we sometimes do but not always.  Happy Veterans Day to a real Veteran.  Bill   

G

I shared your thoughts with a few friends. Thoughtful comments. 

Dave  

Thanks George-very timely reminder.  Very best wishes to you and all your family for both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.  And may mankind finally return to its senses and work together to rid us of Covid and mitigate the depradations of war and climate change........Geoff