Thursday, November 10, 2022

Remembering

Remembering. It's time to remember.

 

Last weekend Rick and I went to see John McCutcheon, a wonderful singer/songwriter, who was appearing locally. We'd seen him once before and were eager to return. As always, he did not disappoint! (The only disappointing thing was the very large crowd -- that was good -- almost all of whom were "of an age." The only place you see more gray hair is at the symphony. What will happen to music like this if no one under 50 ever hears it?!)

McCutcheon wrote (with Tom Paxton) the song "Ukranian Now," which you may well have heard or seen about seven or eight months ago as the war in Ukraine captured our hearts and souls. It deserves a replay here. 

In his repertoire, he included one of my favorites, which felt timely given that Veterans Day/Remembrance Day is this week, a time to remember and honor the service of those who have served in the military. And the thought of Remembrance Day, as it is called in the UK, brings back a wonderful memory. I've written about it before -- but it deserves a revisit before you hear my favorite John McCutcheon song. (And if you remember this story from the past, just skip down to the song. It's a treasure.)

Rick and I were in England in 2018, staying at Morgan's Forge, a wonderful home in Midford, a few miles outside of Bath. Walk down the hill and you arrive at the pub and the bus stop. Walk to the left and you head toward the village of Monkton Combe. 

 

It was one of those glorious late October days when the weather was crisp. As we headed toward Monkton Combe, leaves crunched under our feet and we were surrounded by the polka-dot vision of grazing sheep on one side and a castle on the other.

 

As we walked this path on the most glorious of October days, we headed toward a country church with an adjacent graveyard. As we approached we could see a bright spot of red marking one of the graves.

It is the grave of Harry Patch or Henry John Patch, briefly the oldest man in Europe, but more fitting for this day, the last surviving combat soldier of World War I in any country. He fought on the Western Front and when he died, he was a month short of being 112 years old. He died on July 25, 2009.


This son of a stonemason was drafted into the British Army two years into World War I and had a bumpy time in his early years, becoming demoted after a fist fight with a fellow soldier. He arrived in France in 1917 and fought at the Battle of Passchendaele, where he was injured and returned to England. He wrote:
When the war ended, I don't know if I was more relieved that we'd won or that I didn't have to go back. Passchendaele was a disastrous battle—thousands and thousands of young lives were lost... We've had 87 years to think what war is. To me, it's a licence to go out and murder. Why should the British government call me up and take me out to a battlefield to shoot a man I never knew, whose language I couldn't speak? All those lives lost for a war finished over a table. Now what is the sense in that?"
Photo: Wikipedia

Harry Patch received eight medals for his service and  after decades of not speaking about the war later shared his story in British documentaries. He became an advocate for preserving sacred battlefield land in France and recognized that life on both sides was lost and should be honored.
 
It was called "The War to End All Wars." But we all know that didn't happen. In his later years Harry Patch was an advocate of peace and involved with the British Poppy Appeal and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
 
  
Patch's greatest legacy is that he told his story -- and like all stories of war, we must never forget its impact on those who served, those who were left behind and those who live free because of the actions of brave soldiers, decades, even centuries ago.
 
John McCutcheon has carried on that tradition, and while it's a little early for "Christmas in the Trenches," Remembrance Day is a fitting time of year to listen again, especially when we remember that on this very day there are still wars and conflicts happening around the world. One can even stretch that thought and consider the "cold wars" in our own country where families and neighbors continue to be torn apart by differing political views. 
 
And while this clip is a bit long, do listen to his story leading into the song. He told it again last weekend and it's well worth the listen. He's a delightful raconteur.
 

There war in Ukraine continues today as people fight valiantly for their democracy, their land, their way of life. Please be generous as you consider your charitable donations this season and remember those who are fighting with inadequate weaponry and living in brutally cold conditions, often without water or heat -- for one purpose alone. Their continued freedom.
 
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51 comments:

Sami said...

I remember reading about Harry Patch. Some cemeteries are very pretty.
Hope you are feeling better after your cardioversion Jeanie.
All the best xx

Linda Sue said...

Thank you Jeanie, thoughtful and important post- we tend to forget or we become desensitized.
I love how in England the entire nation goes silent simultaneously for a few minutes to think about it all, to honor, to remember. Scars of WW2 still visible. We just keep warring- humans just do that and it is the worst of our tendencies.
Thanks for the music!

Iris Flavia said...

I go with Sami on the latter!

Yes, he is right - war is a licence to murder - one probably no one really wants to have... I´ll never understand war.

Having people to test if your food is poisened and tell "your" people to kill others who happily just lived their lives.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, this post deserved to be shared again. Thank you for sharing the wonderful music and the lovely story he shared! We need to remember!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Harry Patc h was even on the news here! It's good to remember those who are suffering. Let's hope that peace will soon prevail. hugs, Valerie

Bill said...

Nice photos, Jeanie and I hope you're feeling better. I never heard of Harry Patch, I'll have to look him up.

DeniseinVA said...

Marvelous post, one that brought me to tears, especially after listening to that amazing song. Blessings and thanks to all our veterans.

Hope you are feeling better also Jeanie. Incredible photos!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

"When the war ended, I don't know if I was more relieved that we'd won or that I didn't have to go back. Passchendaele was a disastrous battle—thousands and thousands of young lives were lost... We've had 87 years to think what war is. To me, it's a licence to go out and murder. Why should the British government call me up and take me out to a battlefield to shoot a man I never knew, whose language I couldn't speak? All those lives lost for a war finished over a table. Now what is the sense in that?"
And we keep on doing it don't we? Without end. I sometimes think we use the remembrance of the last war to gear up for the next. Real progress will have been made when there are no wars to remember. Sadly, that will probably only happened when we have all annihilated each other.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Thoughtful post
Thank you
I hope this Veteran's Remembrance day is honored by all.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jeanie, thank you so much for sharing this post. So moving and so emotional...The music brought tears--the sacrifice of all the veterans. My prayers for Ukraine continues.

DUTA said...

"I'm Ukrainian now" is a very moving song!
Sadly, we in Israel, have many Remembrance Days to commemorate. Wars are a constant in our life, and we can see no end to it.

Rita said...

...a license to murder. Yes.
So sad that humans hate each other or want what some other human has.
Touching post.

William Kendall said...

Our last WWI vet died a bit before him.

roentare said...

These graves and epitaph are so elegant. The scenery is so pleasing too

Anvilcloud said...

Henry lived a little longer than Sue’s grandad, who was 105 when he passed. He was a veteran of Vimy Ridge.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Jeanie, I was not familiar with the story of Harry Patch, so thank you for this timely post, and, more so, for the John McCutcheon clip. As you noted it was a bit longish, but very interesting as I was unfamiliar with him.

Mae Travels said...

When the war in Ukraine started, the outrage against Russia for betraying a long stretch of peaceful compromises was strong. It seems to me that we are letting go of the outrage, as the Russian atrocities worsen. Some people think that war is the natural state of human society -- and I wonder if we are acting out that monster thought. Any time you think of World War I, it's depressing.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Wonderful post and I do remember when you shared the story of Harry Patch before!! Thanks so much for always stopping buy!! Hope you have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,
I am not familiar with Harry Patch. Thanks for sharing the story.
I thank all our veterans for their service!

Take care, have a great day and happy weekend.

Bonnie said...

Very moving post, Jeanie! Thank you for sharing this."I an
Ukrainian Now" is a very moving song, and the video is moving and inspiring also.
I appreciate you helping us to remember all the veterans and their sacrifices.

La Table De Nana said...

Rememberance day is honoured in my dear little town too with parade etc…as it should be.One of my Clint’s now almost 100 was 14 when he enlisted I believe.

crackercrumblife said...

This is a beautiful post. Thank you for teaching me about Henry Patch today.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Beautiful post Jeanie. All war is tragic but I do feel a sorrow for the young generation of men who died in WWI.

R's Rue said...

What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing. Love to you my friend.

Marilyn Miller said...

What a perfect post for today. And what a special concert to attend. There is nothing like a concert such as this. I loved both videos too. Thanks!

Pat said...

A beautiful story in honor of Veterans Day. I was dearly touched listening to the song. Patch was a man to remember!
I remember giving/selling poppies on Veterans Day with my adopted Father. We put flags on veteran graves…
I listened to the song, it brought tears to my eyes and heart ♥️. Thanks for your thoughtful story♥️♥️.

ashok said...

Loved the song..thanks for sharing Jeanie.

Mary Rose's said...

The poppy wreaths!
I recall seeing at least one, usually more, in every church we visited in England. Each one carefully placed. You could sense the reverence, the love and pride people hold for those soldiers who died to defend them, their country.
Thanks for this, Jeanie.

XOXO

This N That said...

Some cemeteries are very elegant..I remember the one in New Orleans..Really different..small and crowded..
You are right about the Symphony..always older people..Our local symphony has a great youth program..

gigi-hawaii said...

War is ugly and men never learn. Too much testosterone.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Beautiful post Jeanie. So worth sharing Harry Patch. The song is amazing. Happy upcoming weekend.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love that passage from Patch about war. It is so senseless, isn't it? So many lives lost. And then I think of all the generations that never came to pass because of the people killed in war. It all makes my heart so heavy.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

My sincere apologies for the very late visit. My internet has been offline for well over a day. Between blogger not allowing me to leave comments and the internet, I am really stressed out.


I remember reading about Patch on your blog before, but seeing the photos again was enjoyable, especially on this very important day. Too bad the phrase "War to end all wars" didn't stick for very long! Thanks for this wonderful look back amd remebrance today, dear.

pogonip said...

Long time lurker here (via Mockingbird Hill). Just had to say how much I loved the John McCutcheon songs and the sentiments behind them. The stories of former soldiers are so important to hear, because of both the ideals that are important and the fundamental community of humanity. My great-uncles were in that War to End All Wars. If only.

Red poppies and the veterans who sold them are a childhood memory.

Arti said...

Thanks for a heartfelt tribute to those who had paid the ultimate price, so many young lives given up during both WWs, lest we forget on this Remembrance Day. Yet alas! My thoughts go to the war-torn Ukraine and many living under autocratic rules. I fear for Taiwan. World peace remains as elusive as ever.

Bohemian said...

A lovely Veteran's Day Tribute. The Images are so Peaceful, I always liked the Cemeteries of Europe to walk thru, so many layers of History and lives lived to ponder, in one place. It always preserved the Essence of those who came before us and now moved from Time to Eternity.

My name is Erika. said...

It is a good time to remember. Even with yesterday being Veterans Day, this season just seems to bring on the memories. Not yet winter, fall is winding down...sounds like you had fun at your concert too. Have a wonderful weekend Jeanie. We have lots of rain so it should be relaxing for me. hugs-Erika

Rustic Pumpkin said...

Thank you for such a respectful post on Remembrance Day. Or Veteran's Day as I believe you call it in America. It is a time for solemn remembrance. Not for celebration, but reflection and honouring the memory of the fallen. Yesterday, Friday the 11th of November, the United Kingdom fell silent at 11:00 o'clock. For two minutes observance.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

What a wonderful old cemetery to visit!

Sandra Cox said...

Oh my gosh, I Am Ukrainian Now is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

Linda Stoll said...

dear friend, in the swift pace and self-absorption of our lives it's become too easy to forget, to run ahead to what's current or pressing. thank you for this wise reminder to slow down and pause and remember.

Lowcarb team member said...

Thank you for this thoughtful post, which bought tears to my eyes.

It is so important that we remember those who fell not only in the two world wars but the continuing conflicts since.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

All the best Jan

Nancy said...

We need to remember! We must never forget!
Thank you for sharing this again. What a beautiful tribute.

Veronica Lee said...

Such a poignant and emotional post, Jeanie.

I didn't know about Harry Patch, so thanks for sharing this.

Hugs and blessings 💐

Rita C at Panoply said...

Jeanie, that Ukranian Now song is so touching. And Harry Patch couldn't have been more accurate with his assessment of war. My Dad never talked about his horrors of WWII, and even though he survived his wounds, he mist definitely suffered what we now know as PTSD, dying at the young age of 67 with a complicated health history. Thank for this tribute to veterans.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Jeanie :=)

This was such an emotional post that it brought tears to my eyes. Man, never learns, and war continues to kill those fighting for their freedom. I shall never forget the words of Henry John Patch. Thank you for sharing his story.

Pam said...

112 years old! Wow!!! Great post.

Joyful said...

A beautiful and touching post.

Joyful said...

A beautiful and touching post, Jeanie.

It's me said...

Beautiful heartwarming post …we may never forget….love happy week from me 🍀❤️🍀

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Thanks for enlightening me about Harry Patch, Jeanie. It is important to remember.

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