Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day triptych

Remembering to remember:

- Last man standing: Frank Buckles, the 107-year-old last known US veteran of WWI, has received honors while he's around to enjoy them. (I wonder who the oldest surviving WWII veteran might be? My uncle Herb is 101; I'll bet he's in the running...)

- Frank Buckles was 16 when he enlisted; likewise, our soldiers today are just unbelievably goddamned young. So are our widows. (Our politicians, meanwhile, voluntarily refuse to grow up. If I start linking in the previous sentence I will be here all night.)

- The greater struggles also continue, but U. Utah Phillips has moved along from the fray. The labor historian, Korean War vet, hobo, historian and folksinger was 73.

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