are you more amazed at how things change, or how things stay the same?

[primroseburrows]

topaz7 linked to this story about the death of one of the last veterans of the Great War, and it reminded me of this song. I linked it in her comments, so I thought I'd post it here.

Cheryl Wheeler - 75 Septembers

Cheryl wrote it for her dad for his 75th birthday, but it applies to any older person looking back on life. It's always reminded me of my stepdad:



Mr. Clemett lived before the airplane and after the internet. Amazing, long life.

Here is a link to an NPR interview with US WWI vets. The World War I Living History Project is a lovely idea. Their site has interviews and videos with some of the last living US Vets (The first random picture I clicked on happened to be someone from Rhode Island). I hope other countries have sites like this, too. There aren't many of these guys left, and unlike my fourth grade history lessons taught me, WWI began in 1914, not 1917 (no, really. For years I though the war began in 1917 and ended in 1918).

I actually went looking similar projects in other countries, but got completely off-track because there's nothing like a geek with ADD for getting lost in a subject. There's sites featuring writers and propaganda posters (I want to get copies of some of these and frame them) and ones that give the German perspective (I'll have to wait for mr_t00by to help me read this one, but I can get a little of it).

I got completely lost in this site featuring music of the era.

And erm. Yeah. I was only going to post the Cheryl Wheeler song. Now I'm gonna go do laundry.

Comments

[ruthless1.livejournal.com]

I haven't had time to follow all the links but once again - just your little post is giving me goosebumps. I love how much you love history and bring it forward for all of us to revel in.
*goes back to the special primroseburrows admiry place*

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Awww. *blushes*

Seriously, though, it's hard for me to concentrate on one thing when I'm searching sites like this. One link leads to another, and so on, and after a while I forget what I was looking for in the first place. I get a lot of trivia out of it, but it doesn't help when I'm researching for a story or trying to learn one thing all the way through. *g*

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

*joins ruthless1 in the special primroseburrows admiry place*

You totally rock, dude. Just sayin.

Your stepdad with the kittens! What a lovely pic. It choked me up a bit, it did.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Wow, I didn't know ADD!history geekery was so popular. :) And 'twas you what started me on the whole Great War ramble (well, okay, it was really Gavrilo Princip et. al., but I'm being a tad more specific, here. :)

Trivia Addendum: Lloyd Clemett is also mentioned in this article. It's sad that the reporter's prediction didn't come true. Hopefully Dwight Wilson will be with us a little while longer. Also? Whoever this Joe Warmington, reporter is, I'm seriously coveting his hat.

Also #2. I will marry you if I can also marry Sir Paul McCartney. It's been a dream of mine. *sighs wistfully* He's single, now, too, y'know.

[mickeymvt.livejournal.com]

Ohh, very cool sites. My inner-history buff thanks you!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

My inner geek is wavering between saying aww, you're welcome! and Yay, Diefenbaker!

I don't have a Dief icon uploaded. Must remedy this post-haste.