November 11, 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice stopping the fighting in Europe in World War One.
In
the United States it is commemorated as Veteran's Day -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day - remember we have many
military personnel scattered around the world - most we never hear about
- and they have families and friends that worry and miss them daily.
In the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth it is generally commemorated as Remembrance Day - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day
There are also commemorations in France, Germany, Italy and other nations.
All veterans of Word War One are dead.
In the United States there are few "major" memorials - the original "unknown" soldier is from World War One.
The
American Battle Monuments Commission administers and maintains the
United States military cemeteries over seas -
https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials
Why is World War One significant to the United States? Some items to consider -
* the loss of lives of our troops and the impact on our communities
* the reception and "re-entry" of service personnel after their military service into our communities
* the growth and expansion of the financial and industrial strength of the United States
* the active participation of the United States in European politics (and in world politics)
* the learning ground of many of the military leaders that led the United States in World War Two
* the mobilization of the nation to field, transport and equip a major army for overseas service
* the development of an extensive "Veteran's Administration" to service former service personnel
* significant medical and scientific advances
* international decisions that impacted - and still impact - Europe, the Middle East, Asia and to a lesser extent Africa.
If
you are a teacher the United States participation may be a good place
to start a discussion of the United States as a world power and the
various challenges that resulted.
If
you visit Ray Fisher (a World War One veteran) Baseball Stadium on the
Michigan Campus you might have noticed a flag pole and memorial near th
location of the (now removed) track -
https://arts.umich.edu/museums-cultural-attractions/ferry-field-flagpole-and-memorial-plaques/
Michigan's commemoration page - https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/michigan-in-ww1-places.html
Ohio's commemoration page - https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/ohio-in-ww1-places-memorials.html?start=10
Jim Mulchay
