Last WWI combat veteran dies at 110

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by fotze

Someones angling for a scrap.

I was honestly trying to make a joke. Somebody posted that in the Malhotra thread and got sin-binned.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

In terms of technology sure I'd agree, but when I stated that the world wasn't any better, remember at the end of World War 1 it was labeled the war to end all war.

Man has become far more violent and ugly between the end of WW1 and his death.

We also have the capability to kill in greater numbers in a hurry.

Maybe I mispoke a bit, but the honest hope of all warriors is that one day we can all beat our swords into ploughs, that never happened. For all of the violence of WW1, it paled in comparison to WW2, after that it was war after war after war each with a greater capability of violence.

I really disagree with you. As nasty as the world is now, it was nastier before WWI. Just prior to WWI you had the Armenian massacre.

Prior to WWI the concept of human rights was basically unknown. Until the early 1900s slavery was still legal in large parts of Africa and Asia. Not to mention all the indentured labourers all across the colonial empires.

There's a reason why average life expectancy has shot up so dramatically since WWI. Life is just better. Obviously some people still have it rough, but the proportion of peolpe who do is far less.

I think you need to look into history and see just how brutal these old empires, that essentially ended or went into decline after WWI, actually were. Essentially, everything that we consider backwards and inhumane today was at one time common place.

Soldiers like the guy in this article played a large part in this.

[Daradon]

I would also agree that the world has improved since then. People are thinking of other countries, of the environment, etc.

It just seems worse because the stakes are so much higher now, we have the tech to end ourselves, perhaps even our planet. But I think the overall human condition has become slightly more wise.

[Daradon]

Slightly... lol. The problem is our intelligence and overall knowledge increases so much faster than our wisdom.

[Yasa]

2 words; indoor plumbing.

[NBC]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

I have also been to some and will return to Belgium / France in a few weeks. Pretty sure I have things well in hand, but some suggestions would be welcomed.

Belgium:
St. Julien (2nd Ypres)
Menin Gate
PPCLI Frenzenburg Memorial (Ypres)
Tyne Cot Cemetery (Passchendaele)
Passchendaele New British Cemetery
Poelcapelle Cemetery
Hill 62 & Museum (Mount Sorrel)
Sanctuary Wood

France:
Bourlon Wood (Canal du Nord)
Courcelette Memorial/Cemetery (Somme)
Le Quesnel (Amiens)
La Chaudiere Cemetery (Vimy)
Cambrai Memorial
Verdun
Compiegne Forest
Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
Thiepval Memorial to the Missing (Somme)
Welsh Memorial (Mametz Wood)

This is what I can think of right now. Hope it helps a little.

[Aeneas]

Thanks.
I have all those things and more in Belgium.

Plan to go to Langemark, actually the largest cemetary in Belgium; most think Tyne Cot. Langemark has the German cemetary. I assume I am not alone in that I had family on both sides at Ieper.

Also near to Diksmuide is the ijzertoren, the museum / monument to all the Flemish war dead. Often lost is that the Belgians fought the entire war.


I am pressed for time on the France portion. After Vimy, I plan to visit La Targette. Time permitting, I would sure like to get to Beaumont Hamel and Courcelette. Due to other committments, I have only one day to spend at Vimy / France.

[Locke]

How long are you gone for?

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Locke

How long are you gone for?

Only nine days. It is not really a holiday as such, going to a specific event.
Not an optimal time, with kids in school and such; so it is all the time I can spare in early June.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by Locke

How long are you gone for?

Don't worry he doesn't miss any ball games... We have a bye that Sunday!

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

In the early 90's my high school organized a European trip. There were about 20 of us who went, and one of the stops was Vimy Ridge in France. When the caretakers saw our Canadian flags they invited us to tour the tunnels dug 80 years before by the Canadian soldiers. As we entered a couple of other tourists attempted to come in with us. They were stopped and told it was only for Canadian children and their chaperones.

The most poignant reminder I have of that day is the messages to family and friends the Canadians carved into the chalky walls in one of the larger caves. It was clear they were young, had plenty of bravado, but recognized they were far from home.

In any event - if you every have the chance to visit Vimy, be sure to do so.

They have guided tours of the tunnels below Vimy Ridge now. When I was there, there where bus loads of french school kids touring the place. Luckily, I was the only tourist on the last tour of the day.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

I have also been to some and will return to Belgium / France in a few weeks. Pretty sure I have things well in hand, but some suggestions would be welcomed.

Sounds like you have toured much more of that area than I ever have. I was over there on business and was pressed for time. Through work, we were taken on a tour to Ypres to the Great War Museum. I ducked out early to run up to the Menin Gate to find the name of a relative. Then it was off to Essex Farm, St.Julian, and then Tyne Cot cemetery. On my own I drove from Brugge to Vimy Ridge for a day.

Next trip I would like to drive up to Holland to see the grave of an uncle who was killed along the German Dutch border near the end of the WWII. Also need to head back to Ypres to spend a decent amount of time at the museum and surrounding area, including the Menin Gate.

[Aeneas]

Been to Belgium twice before, but this time it is specifically to visit these places. Have toured Bruges, Gent, Brussels, etc. previously

Of course, we will stay in Bruges and have nice meals and lots of beer; (and hopefully they will be making a movie with midgets there) so it is not entirely trenches and memorials.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Been to Belgium twice before, but this time it is specifically to visit these places. Have toured Bruges, Gent, Brussels, etc. previously

Of course, we will stay in Bruges and have nice meals and lots of beer; (and hopefully they will be making a movie with midgets there) so it is not entirely trenches and memorials.

Bring me back a few Brugge Trippel! And a midget if you can manage it.