Where Have all the Poppies Gone?
You know the Facebook prompt,’What’s on your mind’?
On the evening of November 11th, Gravel Roads had names on her mind.
Names of family members who were veterans. Of colleagues who uphold the cause of veterans. Of friends who are surviving veterans. Those who trained in the military but had no occasion to serve. Hometown veterans who died in the line of duty. And hometown veterans who are long-deceased.
Gravel Roads had so many veterans on her mind, that she posted this indignant, scrappy response:
Greg DeKruse is a friend. A young veteran, home again. Ever-mindful of those who came before him and the many more who will follow him. Gravel Roads, Facebook Post, November 11, 2014.
Let me add, this unequivocally — indignant and scrappy response.
There’s not much time left to do the right thing
State-side, estimated veteran population as of 2007 (National WWII Museum):
First World War: None; last surviving veteran, Frank Buckles, passed away in 2011 at the age of 110
By 2036, it is estimated there will be no living veterans of World War II.
Korean War: 2,275,000
Estimated Canadian veteran population as of March 2014 (Veterans Affairs Canada) :
First World War: None; last surviving veteran, John Babcock, passed away in 2010 at the age of 109
Second World War: 88,400; average age is 90
Korean War: 9,800; average age is 82
The right thing being what?
Get over your little selves.
Your work world. Your unemployed world. Your bank account. Your online games. Your fear of GMO. Your fear of fat. Your fear of being alone. Your I-Phone. Your friends. Just generally, get over yourself.
Enough with the Facebook “selfies” and “thumbs-up” and “likes” and “f-bombs”.
You’re here and they’re not.
‘Nough said.
Just remember, please
