And now I'm remembering my grandfather who never, ever, spoke of the war he had to fight in. I don't think he could. He was a kind man, who always had a sad smile on his face when someone talked about it. They all indeed deserve our respect and gratitude.
A very thoughtful, thought-provoking piece, Søren, thank you. I'd love to be able to answer your question in the penultimate paragraph with a 'yes', but history seems to suggest otherwise. I'm struggling at this point to overcome my pessimism. Thanks, again, for sharing.
A post that hits a note worth hitting. These people gave their lives to fight for what they believed was right, and we should remember them. I'm glad you have chosen that as the subject of your post.
Yet, just like Ralph and Mark, I'm not too optimistic about the outcome of the question 'will we ever learn?' We should know better by now, but still, the power hungry of this world will never pass an opportunity to start another war and make more money. Common people will have to suffer and even die.
Hey Vincent, thank you. There is a change though, right? We may not have learned anything, but we seem to be moving towards money and away from blood? It seems there is a higher tolerance for lying and cheating and stealing from the tax payer, than there is for the shedding of blood. At least in some quarters. We have to hope that negotiations and diplomacy will ultimately prove that we are civilised, though it is hard to carry that banner at times! Thank you for the great comment.
Thank you, Søren, for this interesting reply! Yes, I agree the tolerance for lying, cheating and stealing is higher than the one for shedding of blood. Hardly something to get very cheerful about, but maybe a small improvement. I think negotiations and diplomacy are only successful, when neither of the parties involved (i.e. their governments) thinks a war will be beneficial in some way. It’s not that I don’t still carry a hope for the better within me, but it has been been ‘shot down’ so many times already. But I am glad you’re so optimistic!
I think we both remember when nuclear war was a real risk. When we learned drills at school. I still don’t know how helpful hiding under a desk might be, but that is another story. I say this to maybe suggest that it did get better for a while. Not everywhere, but in most places that I am familiar with. More recently, the World has descended into another round of idiocy and I am hopeful that we can perhaps get the leaders we need, not the leaders we deserve, because we have become too blasé about things. I am as guilty as the next one, but we must make sure we are counted. Small things, like voting, and simply showing up.
Dear Søren, thank you for your powerful words and images. Last summer we went to the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. It was deeply moving to see so many white stone graves in the middle of such a peaceful place. Every headstone, a life lost. There’s a palpable energy in that place. And your question, will we ever learn, is one that haunts me.
Thank you very much, Anne. It was a tough time then, and a very difficult one today. We must learn from the past. We simply have to. The 1930s is not that long ago, and yet, we seem to be seeing a lot of similar activities today. We need to remember and not let it all happen again.
An excellent and beautiful post, Søren. As the saying goes, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. Personally, I don’t feel particularly optimistic about the future. Too many idiots with too much power and too much money wrapped up in weaponry manufacturing.
I have also seen The Great Escaper and really enjoyed it. Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson were excellent. There was another similar movie released around the same time called The Last Rifleman. It starred Pierce Brosnan as an old soldier who “escaped” from a nursing home in Ireland to go to the D-Day celebration in Normandy. That was more of a comedy and, although entertaining, it wasn’t as good as the Michael Caine version.
Hey Mark, thank you. We have to be optimistic, and we have to not be quiet. It is a different time now, but being the silent majority is no longer good enough, I am afraid....
I am glad you liked the movie. I have looked for The Last Rifleman here, and it is not available at the moment on any of the platforms I have access to, but I have made a note and will keep looking. Thank you.
An excellent piece Soren - I was reading about the very few surviving D Day veterans from the UK...this year there's 6 that have travelled over to France to the commemorations, most aged 100. Unbelievable isn't it. I can only hope that there are enough people in power who have learned and honour the sacrifices the men and women made back then and continue to stand by those lessons. There's an interview here on the BBC with one centenarian who's gone over and talks of the faces he still sees...https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgm53nqvndo
Hi Lin, thank you for your great comment. I read your article link and saw the short video, with a tear in my eye. It is unfathomable. We have to remember, and keep remembering even when the last few are no longer with us.
And now I'm remembering my grandfather who never, ever, spoke of the war he had to fight in. I don't think he could. He was a kind man, who always had a sad smile on his face when someone talked about it. They all indeed deserve our respect and gratitude.
Thank you, Klemo... in this case, my post did what I hoped it would!
Today always reminds me of Pete Seegers song “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”
And the line that defines it.
When will you ever learn……..
The song has been playing in my head, since I read your comment. Thank you.
This is beautiful, Søren and the images are wonderful! I put The Great Escaper in our queue.
Thank you, Juliette. I appreciate your comment very much. Enjoy the movie, and tell me what you think!
Will we ever learn? I’m afraid that some may not. I’m afraid of the ignorance of a few affecting so many innocent. Thank you for your lovely post.
Thank you, Liza! We have to remain optimistic, yet vigilant. And we cannot be afraid to speak up.
A very thoughtful, thought-provoking piece, Søren, thank you. I'd love to be able to answer your question in the penultimate paragraph with a 'yes', but history seems to suggest otherwise. I'm struggling at this point to overcome my pessimism. Thanks, again, for sharing.
Thank you, Ralph! We have to try to be optimistic, while alert. We have to see the train coming and do everything we can to stop it.
Touching post, Søren. Let's hope we will learn any day soon.
Thank you, Marcel!
Until we ban testosterone, we will have wars. We need more women running the world!
Now, there is a thought. Thank you for the comment, Nancy!
A post that hits a note worth hitting. These people gave their lives to fight for what they believed was right, and we should remember them. I'm glad you have chosen that as the subject of your post.
Yet, just like Ralph and Mark, I'm not too optimistic about the outcome of the question 'will we ever learn?' We should know better by now, but still, the power hungry of this world will never pass an opportunity to start another war and make more money. Common people will have to suffer and even die.
Hey Vincent, thank you. There is a change though, right? We may not have learned anything, but we seem to be moving towards money and away from blood? It seems there is a higher tolerance for lying and cheating and stealing from the tax payer, than there is for the shedding of blood. At least in some quarters. We have to hope that negotiations and diplomacy will ultimately prove that we are civilised, though it is hard to carry that banner at times! Thank you for the great comment.
Thank you, Søren, for this interesting reply! Yes, I agree the tolerance for lying, cheating and stealing is higher than the one for shedding of blood. Hardly something to get very cheerful about, but maybe a small improvement. I think negotiations and diplomacy are only successful, when neither of the parties involved (i.e. their governments) thinks a war will be beneficial in some way. It’s not that I don’t still carry a hope for the better within me, but it has been been ‘shot down’ so many times already. But I am glad you’re so optimistic!
I think we both remember when nuclear war was a real risk. When we learned drills at school. I still don’t know how helpful hiding under a desk might be, but that is another story. I say this to maybe suggest that it did get better for a while. Not everywhere, but in most places that I am familiar with. More recently, the World has descended into another round of idiocy and I am hopeful that we can perhaps get the leaders we need, not the leaders we deserve, because we have become too blasé about things. I am as guilty as the next one, but we must make sure we are counted. Small things, like voting, and simply showing up.
Many thanks for this post. We will remember them!
Yes, we must!
Dear Søren, thank you for your powerful words and images. Last summer we went to the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. It was deeply moving to see so many white stone graves in the middle of such a peaceful place. Every headstone, a life lost. There’s a palpable energy in that place. And your question, will we ever learn, is one that haunts me.
Thank you very much, Anne. It was a tough time then, and a very difficult one today. We must learn from the past. We simply have to. The 1930s is not that long ago, and yet, we seem to be seeing a lot of similar activities today. We need to remember and not let it all happen again.
An excellent and beautiful post, Søren. As the saying goes, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. Personally, I don’t feel particularly optimistic about the future. Too many idiots with too much power and too much money wrapped up in weaponry manufacturing.
I have also seen The Great Escaper and really enjoyed it. Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson were excellent. There was another similar movie released around the same time called The Last Rifleman. It starred Pierce Brosnan as an old soldier who “escaped” from a nursing home in Ireland to go to the D-Day celebration in Normandy. That was more of a comedy and, although entertaining, it wasn’t as good as the Michael Caine version.
Hey Mark, thank you. We have to be optimistic, and we have to not be quiet. It is a different time now, but being the silent majority is no longer good enough, I am afraid....
I am glad you liked the movie. I have looked for The Last Rifleman here, and it is not available at the moment on any of the platforms I have access to, but I have made a note and will keep looking. Thank you.
"Will we ever learn?" indeed Soren. Thank you for this. Beautifully done.
Thank you, Tom. Much appreciated.
Thank you for this post Søren. Photos say it all.
Thank you, Mary Kay. I appreciate you reading it and looking at my photographs.
I will always remember their bravery.
Thank you.
An excellent piece Soren - I was reading about the very few surviving D Day veterans from the UK...this year there's 6 that have travelled over to France to the commemorations, most aged 100. Unbelievable isn't it. I can only hope that there are enough people in power who have learned and honour the sacrifices the men and women made back then and continue to stand by those lessons. There's an interview here on the BBC with one centenarian who's gone over and talks of the faces he still sees...https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgm53nqvndo
Hi Lin, thank you for your great comment. I read your article link and saw the short video, with a tear in my eye. It is unfathomable. We have to remember, and keep remembering even when the last few are no longer with us.
Beautiful post, Søren. Thanks for helping us remember those who sacrificed so much.
Thank you, Todd.