Young Willie McBride

 

World War 1 was a brutal war, different from other wars in history. It had weapons that had never been seen. 

 

War in the trenches

 

 

Young Willie McBride

Christiane David

November 11, 1918, at 11 A.M.

The end of the Great War, the war to end all wars

Green Fields of France, The Fureys and Davey Arthur 

What have we learned?

From Peanuts Movie

Never forget.
Take what we know, have seen, and use it.

In Remembrance...11th day of the 11th month at the 11th minute, 1918

Today is November 10.  That means that tomorrow is November 11, which is fairly obvious.  It is also Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.  It marks the end of World War 1. The eleventh month November, the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour was the day peace was declared and papers were signed, in the year 1918.  Ninety-six years ago and all veterans who were part of that era are gone.  The last veteran died a year or two ago, maybe more.

 Davey Fury and the Dubliners

There is no way to “celebrate” this day.  But some countries mark the day and the moment by holding a minute of silence in respect. 

The song that always breaks me into tears is this song by the Dubliners.  (I posted it before, but oh well.)

Remembrance is too often left absent in life, when it can only be done by those still alive.

What have we learned?

Today is the day when armistice was declared to end World War I.  It was a day specified for its numbers:  11th month, 11th day, at the 11th hour.  Papers were signed, soldiers went home, and the Great War, the War to end all wars was over.

Trying to explain this to a group of 5th graders is nearly impossible.  War has been made glamorous in Video games and dying is a temporary event.

So I always showed this Charlie Brown video, "What have we learned, Charlie Brown?"   Here is a clip of it:

No matter how many times I saw it, it gave me chills and tears.

There is a heart breaking song performed by Davey Arthur and The Fureys, called "The Green Fields of France".  Please listen to it:



I first heard this song at a live performance when we lived in Ireland.  There was a moment of absolute silence at the end of the song, before the applause.

What have we learned?