Once Upon a Time in the Vest

Thursday, November 10, 2022

V 12 N. 81 Honoring Olympic Veterans Who Died in War

 




This is the ninth year we publish this piece that was first  cobbled together in 2014.  Not all these women and men were in the military.  Some were civilians others resistance fighters serving their countries on both sides of conflict in many different ways.  I've chosen not to display a flag, because there are so many veterans world wide who all need to be honored.  I also recognize indigenous veterans who served for their colonizers in many countries, from the Navajo code talkers in the South Pacific to Kenyans who served in the Kings, , African Rifles in WWII, Senegalese who fought in France in WWI, and black and white South Africans buried side by side in a WWI cemetery in Tanzania.  This past year an indigenous friend recounted the story of how his grandfather came home from WWII to Canada and in uniform was able to buy a drink in a bar.  The next day in his civilian clothes he was refused service in that same bar because he was an Indian.  Lest we forget.   George Brose



Olympians Who Died in War   Link


The Band Played Waltzing Matilda     song by Eric Bogle in our opinion the best anti-war song ever written


Final Scene from Galliopli    In this scene there are strong references to the sport of track and field.


This was one of your best as we celebrate Veterans Day in the US.  Originally Armistice Day and now Veterans Day, we only celebrate those from the US or those who fought with the US, but there were so many others just like us, people like Luz Long and my cousin, Bernard Hibben, who died because they were told to do so by leaders of another country.  I listened intently to Walzing Matilda, truly hearing it for the first time.  I experienced both goose bumps and tears as I listened to the waste of legs and life.  In my case I thought of God looking down on us and wondering the same thing as Eric Bogle.  On this day of celebrating military might, I will be asking "why?" and "for what?" Bill Schnier



Eric Bogle has written, not one but, the TWO best anti-war songs.  In addition to -  And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda,  Bogle also wrote - The Green Fields of France. 

If you haven't heard any of the several singers who have recorded the song (in addition to Bogle) please pull up a YouTube performance.   Thomas Coyne

Here's Tom's recommendation   Willy McBride The Green Fields of France

A great way to honor our ultimate HEROES is through my two favorite charities: WOUNDED WARRIORS and PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA. Surely there are no more deserving of our help. Great reminder George. 
Darryl Taylor

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V 14 N. 72 A Reprint on Our Article About the 1978 NCAA National XC Meet in Madison, WI

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