On this day, the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I (the "Great War"), I especially remember three veterans of that incredibly cruel and horrible conflict.
The first was my grand-uncle. His name was Gordon Gale. In the course of the war, he had the extreme misfortune to step on a land mine while crossing "no man's land" in the dark. Horribly wounded, he lost any ability to father children. After the war, he met and married my grandmother's sister. She loved him very much and decided to marry him knowing full well that their union would never result in children. I consider both of them two of the bravest people I ever met.
The second was a man named Joe Keeler. He lived just up the street from my future wife, and I met him on several occasions. Joe had been gassed during the war, and it left him with severe pulmonary problems for the rest of his life. I remember him coughing and wheezing - a constant reminder of the inhumane nature of that war. I also remember him as one of the kindest and one of the most gentle old men in the neighborhood. He and his wife are fondly remembered by both my wife and myself.
The third man I met when I was the human resources manager at an electronics company in the late '60s. He was a part-time draftsman; very good at that job. I wish I could remember his name, but I do remember he and I having a number of conversations about WWI. He served as an Army infantryman, and specifically remembered being issued an M1917 rifle, plus the fact that although the M1903 rifle could hold 5 rounds, his Enfield could be topped off with an extra round, making 6 in the magazine - and he did so whenever possible in combat.
Just some recollections of three brave veterans of that war, the end of which we celebrate today 100 years later. May God always hold them in His arms.
John
The first was my grand-uncle. His name was Gordon Gale. In the course of the war, he had the extreme misfortune to step on a land mine while crossing "no man's land" in the dark. Horribly wounded, he lost any ability to father children. After the war, he met and married my grandmother's sister. She loved him very much and decided to marry him knowing full well that their union would never result in children. I consider both of them two of the bravest people I ever met.
The second was a man named Joe Keeler. He lived just up the street from my future wife, and I met him on several occasions. Joe had been gassed during the war, and it left him with severe pulmonary problems for the rest of his life. I remember him coughing and wheezing - a constant reminder of the inhumane nature of that war. I also remember him as one of the kindest and one of the most gentle old men in the neighborhood. He and his wife are fondly remembered by both my wife and myself.
The third man I met when I was the human resources manager at an electronics company in the late '60s. He was a part-time draftsman; very good at that job. I wish I could remember his name, but I do remember he and I having a number of conversations about WWI. He served as an Army infantryman, and specifically remembered being issued an M1917 rifle, plus the fact that although the M1903 rifle could hold 5 rounds, his Enfield could be topped off with an extra round, making 6 in the magazine - and he did so whenever possible in combat.
Just some recollections of three brave veterans of that war, the end of which we celebrate today 100 years later. May God always hold them in His arms.
John
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