11-11 and Remembering

To their credit, the French are determined to not forget that hellish First World War.  Ceremonies marking the Armistice that was signed on 11-11-1918 are being held all over France today, from Paris to the smallest hamlets out in the countryside.  I wonder if there is a family in the country who wasn't somehow touched by the butchery and losses incurred on this soil during those horrendous years.

Thus, this is a national holiday in France.  Stores are closed.  People gather at their local monuments, old soldiers in military coats just a shade too tight carry their flags.  A local bugler cracks out a fanfare or two.  The mayor and other local dignitaries will help children of the community place a wreath. The mood is solemn and respectful  I imagine that the crowd of attendees grows smaller each year, but the faithful still show up to remember.

My grandfather served in the U S Regular Army.  He was no freshly shaven farm boy on the original Armistice Day, but a young man in his 30's.  He had to have a different perspective than many of the younger soldiers.   I would give almost anything for just one day's conversation with him, to learn his story, his truth. 

He referred to himself as "your boy in blue"

If you have parents still living, talk to them.  Hear their stories.  Get them down on paper before it's too late.  If you are the adult generation now, write or record your stories for your children and grand children and great grandchildren.  They will want to know....maybe not today, but one day they will want to know who their "people" were.  If you served in the military, where did you go?  What were your favorite foods?  What was your childhood like?  Who were you?

We can use Armistice Day as a vehicle to remember always, not just the larger moments in history that shaped our nations, but the every day stories of those gone before us who shaped us as people.