Happy 242nd birthday to United States Marine Corps and Veterans Day

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The United States Marine Corps celebrates its 242nd birthday, today, November 10th, 2017. Happy Birthday to all the people currently serving, or who have served in the US Marines. Many happy returns to you all!

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Tomorrow, November 11th, marks the 99th anniversary of the end of World War I which we will observe as Veteran’s Day.  The signing of the armistice took place on the 11th month, of the 11th day, at the 11th hour and 11th minute past said hour. In honor of this event and to honor everyone who has served or is currently serving in the military, here is a picture of Wilfred Owen, who was killed on Nov. 4th, 1918, during the last week of the Great War. Along this his photo is an picture of one of his poems, “Anthem for Doomed Youth”

Image source W. Owen                                       Image source poem

Here is the poem, “Anthem for Doomed Youth”

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.