Tomorrow I will toast the millions of sad sacrifices of men to imperialism. I also thanked the stars that I’ve never had to fire a shot in anger.
The truce between the Axis and Allies was signed at 5am, but ceasefire didn’t take effect, until the 11th second of the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and for six hours guns along the Western Front unloosed their last cannonade.
That day on the 11th second of the 11th minute of the 11th hour or the 11th day or the 11th month of 1918 passed without any abatement in the fury.
Soldiers on both sides had ammo and they weren’t taking none of the death home from ‘over there’.
It is estimated that over 10,000 men were killed or wounded between 5am and 11am.
The last casualty was reputed to be a Canadian, Private George Lawrence Price.
He was struck in the chest by a German sniper at 10:58am.
One of the 60,000 dead from the Great North.
Pacem in Terrem.
Tomorrow I will ask New Yorkers about Armistice Day, which is a national holiday.
I doubt that less than 10% can say why they had a day off from work.
NOne of them will know Private George Lawrence Price
“As you get old, you forget. As you get older you are forgotten.”
But not by me.
I’m a true old git.
End the Endless War.
