Some of you will not be able to see the images below.  I apologize, but here is the link for the town web site, you’ll like it:

Have you ever wondered if anyone in Europe remembers America’s sacrifice in World War II?  There is an answer in a small town in the Czech Republic, in the town called Pilsen (Plzen ). Every 5 years, Pilsen conducts the Liberation Celebration of the City of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. May 6th, 2010, marked the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen by General George Patton’s 3rd Army.Pilsen is the town that every American should visit.  Why?  Because they love America and the American Soldier… Even 65 years later… by the thousands,The citizens of Pilsen came to say thank you. Lining  the streets of Pilsen for miles –From the large crowds, to quiet reflective moments,including this American family’s private time to honor and remember their American hero. This is the crash site of Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII. It was Lt. Kirkham’s 82nd mission and one that he volunteered to go on. At the time, this 20-year-old pilot’s P-47 Thunderbolt plane was shot down, a young 14-year-old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, was so moved by his sacrifice she made a vow to care for him and his memory.For 65 straight years, Zdenka, now 79-years-old, took on the responsibility to care for Virgil’s crash site and memorial near her home. On May 4th, she was recognized by the Mayor of Zdenka’s home town of Trhanova ,Czech Republic, forher sacrifice and extraordinary effort to honor this American hero. Another chapter in this important story… the Czech people are teaching their children about America’s sacrifice for their freedom. American Soldiers, young and old, are the ”Rock Stars” these children and their parents want autographs from. Yes, Rock Stars! As they patiently waited for his autograph, the respect this little Czech boy and his father have for our troops serving today was heartwarming and inspirational. The Brian LaViolette Foundation established The Scholarship of Honor in tribute to General George S. Patton and the American Soldier, past and present. Each year, a different military hero will be honored in tribute to General Patton’s memory and their mission to liberate Europe . This award will be presented to a graduating senior who will be entering the military or a form of community service such as fireman, policeman, teaching or nursing – – – a cause greater than self. The student will be from 1 of the 5 high schools in Pilsen, Czech Republic . The first award will be presented in May 2011 in honor of Lt. Virgil Kirkham, that young 20-year-old P-47 pilot killed 65 years ago in the final days of WWII. Presenting Virgil’s award will be someone who knows the true meaning of service and sacrifice… someone who looks a lot like Virgil. Marion Kirkham, Virgil’s brother, who himself served during WWII in the United States Army Air Corps!!! In closing… Here is what the city of Pilsen thinks of General Patton’s grandson. George Patton Waters (another Rock Star!) we’re proud to say, serves on Brian’s Foundation board. And it’s front page news over there. not buried in the middle of the social section. Brigadier General Miroslav Zizka – 1st Deputy Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defense, Czech Armed Forces. Notice the flags? Share this email with your family and friends. Every American should hear this story.

I have posted the following poems for several years running. I hope you will enjoy them and understand why I believe the draft should be reinstated.

THE FOLLOWING POEMS, IN FLANDERS FIELD BY LT. COLONEL JOHN McCrae AND TOMMY BY RUDYARD KIPLING SAY MORE ABOUT THE TRUE FEELING OF SERVICEMEN, AND NOW WOMEN, THROUGHOUT OUR WORLD THAN ANY OTHER POEMS ON THE SUBJECT OF WAR AND SERVICE.  AND, EACH POEM DOES SO IN PLAIN, UNSTILTED LANGUAGE.  AS MEMORIAL DAY PASSES , I POST THE POEMS IN THE HOPE THAT OUR MEN AND WOMEN WILL NO LONGER DIE, OR BECOME DISABLED IN  WAR … UNDECLARED OR OTHERWISE.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Detailed information concerning the circumstances of the penning of In Flanders Fields can be found here

TOMMY

I went into a public-‘ouse to get a pint o’ beer, The publican ‘e up an’ sez, “We serve no red-coats here.” The girls be’ind the bar they laughed an’ giggled fit to die, I outs into the street again an’ to myself sez I: O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”; But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play, The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play, O it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be, They gave a drunk civilian room, but ‘adn’t none for me; They sent me to the gallery or round the music-‘alls, But when it comes to fightin’, Lord! they’ll shove me in the stalls! For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, wait outside”; But it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide, The troopship’s on the tide, my boys, the troopship’s on the tide, O it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide.

Yes, makin’ mock o’ uniforms that guard you while you sleep Is cheaper than them uniforms, an’ they’re starvation cheap; An’ hustlin’ drunken soldiers when they’re goin’ large a bit Is five times better business than paradin’ in full kit. Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, ‘ow’s yer soul?” But it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll, The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll, O it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll.

We aren’t no thin red ‘eroes, nor we aren’t no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you; An’ if sometimes our conduck isn’t all your fancy paints, Why, single men in barricks don’t grow into plaster saints; While it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, fall be’ind”, But it’s “Please to walk in front, sir”, when there’s trouble in the wind, There’s trouble in the wind, my boys, there’s trouble in the wind, O it’s “Please to walk in front, sir”, when there’s trouble in the wind.

You talk o’ better food for us, an’ schools, an’ fires, an’ all: We’ll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational. Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face The Widow’s Uniform is not the soldier-man’s disgrace. For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!” But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot; An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please; An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy sees!

Below is a nice recitation of Tommy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nGClrsAN2aY

 

You will also find a very lengthy account of Kipling and his life here, where one of his most popular poems, My Boy Jack is given full treatment (after all it was about his son Jack’s death in battle.)  For reasons unstated, no mentions is made of  Tommy. Perhaps others do not share my respect for the poem, but more can be found regarding Tommy’s publication by clicking  here.

Finally, the reader has seen that both poems are written by those who wrote of their own nation’s experience in war and individual battles.  The soldiers who fight, have much in common and little at odds … with the exception of the cause for which they must fight as dictated by their “Commanders in Chief.”