November 11 -- Veterans Day -- The Last Full Measure of Devotion

[nakedboy]

Here. Here. Well written.

 

[justdoitinnj]

It was in the spring of 1970....my day to come back home from Nam !
I was SO happy when my plane took off from the airbase next to Saigon.
We landed in Hawaii to refuel and then on to Oakland Air Force Base in CA.
We landed in Oakland about 3 in the morning and was issued all brand new
Army clothes, they fed us breakfast and then bused us to the airport to
arrange a way back home.
I no sooner got off of the bus and a group of hippies were standing there and as I
walked by them I got spit on by them.
WELCOME HOME !

But I thank hty2 for remembering all veterans !

 

[gsdx]

What the heck? The edit screwed everything up!!

 

[gsdx]

One more time.

We celebrate it in Canada, too, and, I believe, in Australia.

This is from the CBC website:

The first Remembrance Day, held in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth, was originally called Armistice Day. The day commemorated the end of the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/remembranceday/

 

[Croynan]

Oh! What a Lovely War

From Wikipedia

Directed by Richard Attenborough
Written by Charles Chilton (play)
Len Deighton (uncredited)

Joan Littlewood (musical play)

Starring:

John Mills
John Gielgud
Laurence Olivier
Michael Redgrave
Maggie Smith
Ian Holm

Distributed by Paramount Pictures

Release date(s) 10 March 1969 (UK release)
Running time 144 min
Language English

Oh! What a Lovely War began life in 1963 as a stage musical by Joan Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop, based on The Donkeys by historian Alan Clark, with some scenes adapted from The Good Soldier Švejk by Czech humorist Jaroslav Hašek. It was an ensemble production with no "stars" as such, but Workshop regulars such as Brian Murphy, Victor Spinetti and Glynn Edwards played multiple roles. The production transferred intact to Wyndham's Theatre the same year.

This satire on World War I (and by extension against war in general), was a surprise hit. It was adapted by the BBC for radio more than once, and in 1969 Richard Attenborough transformed it into a film. His star-studded cast included Dirk Bogarde, John Gielgud, John Mills, Kenneth More, Laurence Olivier, Corin Redgrave, Michael Redgrave, Vanessa Redgrave, Ralph Richardson and Maggie Smith. This film has been released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment.

The stage show is traditionally performed in pierrot costumes, and features such World War I-era songs as "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", "Pack up Your Troubles" and "Keep the Home Fires Burning". Harsh images of war and shocking statistics are usually projected onto the backdrop, however, providing a stark contrast with the comedy of the action taking place before it.​

​

The Film:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HWZ4I4/ref=pd_luc_02603B0001FGC3IB000HWZ4I4/104-3004572-7863129

The Original Cast Recording

http://www.amazon.com/What-Lovely-Original-London-Cast/dp/B0001FGC3I



eM.

 

[Croynan]

"Oh What A Lovely War"

I saw a production of this show many years ago at U. C. L. A. put on by the Center Theatre Group.

It is a show that one never forgets. It is just brilliant in concept and message.

Although the film of the musical does not quite capture the "realities" of the stage presentation, it is a film that very much merits one's attention.



eM.

 

[_AJ_]

LEST WE FORGET​