28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918 is a time period that some among the living still remember.  For those who fought in World War I, conditions were horrid, and as devastating as much of the new technology that was used. Bone chilling cold, mud, malnutrition, and being thrust into wet trenches with hundreds of other soldiers were just a few of the conditions that added to the misery in one of the biggest wars in the history of humankind.  Between combatants and civilians, roughly 16 million people died.  Thus, when the United States Congress created Veterans or Armistice Day on 4 June 1926, the wounds and memories were still fresh. I am struck by the wording, and how many times "peace" and "peaceful relations" are mentioned.  It was an awful war that left few lives untouched, and members of Congress knew there were possibilities for other conflicts. Perhaps they hoped that remembering and marking the end of The Great War would keep a war of this magnitude from happening again.  The text appears below.

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

The act of Congress adds the following:

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day."

Although the beginning of World War I was over one hundred years ago, and may seem like ancient history to some born after the turn of the 21st century, it is good to know our history and remember.  This blog honors veterans of all ages, and those who have gone before.  I just wish I had more photographs of many of you who have served in war and in peaceful times.  Below is a photograph of William "Willie" Low (center) with two fellow U. S. Navy sailors after World War I.  Low was Fred's great uncle, born in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In the Navy circa WWI The next two photographs are of World War II veterans.  Fred's father, Forest E. Black, was an air traffic controller at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California.  

Forest Edwin Black, Alameda, California

Alan Dale Douglas, my father, was also an air traffic controller at the Army Air Corps base in Deming, New Mexico.  He was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, and received his citizenship while in the service.

Dale Douglas, Deming, New Mexico Finally, a photograph of a mere child (Fred Black) in the door of an H-2 helicopter aboard ship somewhere in the South China Sea.  Although the previous three photographs could have been taken during any era of modern warfare, the informality of this shot is probably typical of the Vietnam conflict.  

Fred in door of H2 over the Philippines My thanks to the vets among you, and to those of you who chose formal peacemaking as your vocation or otherwise made it a part of your lives.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@