Clearly, it is a rare set of calendar numbers that will not recur for 100 years. It is, however, one that coincides with the signing of the Armistice that ended the first World War. That happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Swap an hour for a year, and we've got today's Veterans Day. Hey, what better time than 5:00 a.m. to relearn American history? And did you know...
...that then President Woodrow Wilson invited 2,000 returning soldiers to the White House for a "home cooked" meal of the then popular canned raviolis. I can feel Gran's disapproval at the "canned" part... but hey, even she would admit that hand cutting in the multi-thousands would be a tad taxing. Food was important to President Wilson, and rightfully so. I'd agree with his comment, "Hunger breeds madness," made in empathy with our service people who had endured horrific conditions. He'd be elated to know that Applebees served over a million free meals to past and present Veterans, on last November 11th - just one of many chain restaurants honoring our military personnel.
So here we are, 11/11/11, a day for raising flags with immense gratitude extended to all service people, past and present, who protect freedom, so cherished... and to those whose lives were lost - never forgotten.
PEACE.... it remains.... a good idea.
