Today is Veteran’s Day, formerly known as Armistice Day. One hundred years ago, at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, the carnage and stupidity of WWI ceased. In the hours right before the ceasefire, American and French troops were ordered to continue attacking the Germans, an army retreating and fighting rear guard actions. Our troops were ordered over the top to cross no man’s land under fire, when they could have peacefully walked the same land a few hours later. The sin is that the American high command knew there was a ceasefire happening and ordered attacks anyway. That my friend is murder for glory, not leadership. Not one of those casualties was a general or other senior officer. For no reasonable reason, America suffered more casualties the last morning of WWI than during the Normandy invasion. Normandy was a necessary battle, a precursor to ending a war. On November 11, 1918, the Germans were already beaten and surrendering.
Unfortunately, the war to end all wars was only the opening act for even more stupidity and carnage. So today everyone, except our draft dodging president that didn’t want to go out in the rain today, honors those that served in any war. I raise my glass of whiskey to you. Thanks, and never forget.
On the lighter side, Molly came rolling in Friday for a weekend visit. Naturally it snowed too. So, we did what every real Michigander does when it snows. We grilled outside. The snow had mostly melted by grilling time, but it was still kind of nasty. We did what we call a meat marathon. Charcoal grilled eight bratwurst, eight spicy Italian sausages, eight sweet Italian sausages, ten hamburgers, and three chicken breasts. Molly had a couple friends over for libations and feasting, then froze the leftovers to go back to Philly. Good time had by all.
Anyone can grill in the summer.
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 