I hate the fact that anyone is called to war. We can't change the past and it seems we're hard-pressed to learn from it. Veterans entering the homeless population is at an all-time high. This is travesty. For many of us, living shrinking paycheck to shrinking paycheck, homelessness is a serious threat. It just seems that when a Vet is involved, the unfairness and utter despair is magnified. What else can I say?There is only one person who can put an end to the madness. Isn't it far past time for Junior and pals to stop playing tinkertoys and take care of business at home? Dad's out playing the ponies while the roof is crumbling. What an ass we have for a president.
I think we all can appreciate and love those who enlisted or were drafted to war, for our protection. I have no argument with those who felt it was duty and honor to do so. And did so.
While thankful to the human veterans of war, today I'd like to also honor the veterans who wore fur, feather, and fin. Our less lauded heroes.
The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 by Maria Dickin to honor the work of animals in war.
DICKIN MEDAL:The medal was awarded 54 times between 1943 and 1949, to 32 pigeons, 18 dogs, 3 horses and 1 cat, to acknowledge actions during the Second World War, after which the medal was officially replaced with the PDSA's non-military Silver Medal.
The animated film Valiant, released in 2005, is a tribute to the role of homing pigeons during World War II, and the fact that they won the most number of Dickin Medals during the war.
The vast majority of homing pigeons were used during WWI by the U.S. Army Signal Corps. 600 birds were owned and trained by the Corps. One famous pigeon was "Cher Ami" who was shot through the chest by German troops. Despite mortal wounds, he continued the flight back to base with information that lead to saving 194 members of the "Lost" 77th Infantry Division Battalion. He was awarded the French "Croix de Guerre" for heroic service. We watched an animated feature last night, "Valiant," about heroic carrier pigeons.
Our dolphin and sea lion friends are less well known for their service in mine sweeps and their role in research leading to advances in sonar. See information and photos from the Navy Marine Mammal Program.
15 comments:
Hi Tink,
Happy sunday to you. What a really great post. I always honour our servicemen and woman past and present. There should never be a war. I am a veteran, not of any war, I served 4 years, and was very proud in doing so.
Have a good week xx
...should have been 'women'
Good point Tink...
No one ever even considers the bravery of pigeons and such in wars. As I read that last line back, it does sound kind of funny though. Sounds like a Phil bit actually. lol.
But it is still true. They are all heroes too. Just like search and rescue dogs, etc.
The next pigeon I see is gonna get saluted by me. Though if he drops one on my head...I'm grabbing the BB gun:)
Rob
Hi Grace ::::salute:::: for you ;o)
I know Rob It reads kinda funny. I've been pigeon and seagull pooped more times than I care to remember. But, from now on, if it happens again, ... I'll holler up: "The War is over and if you don't want to end up like the dodo bird, knock it off!"
p.s. I'll get to the Phil bit later today. :o)
Hi Tink,
Great and interesting and appropo post for today.
Little known facts. Cool! Esp. about the homing pigeon. And what a coincidence, as I was just talking with my kids yesterday about passenger pigeons and how they're extinct.
And just last night I was watching Saving Private Ryan and thinking how dreadful and pointless war is. (and honestly thinking that if this were a woman's world... well, I think there'd be no such thing... but who knows, maybe it's just a fact of life).
Such a waste.
Hope you enjoyed your Veterans Day. I was off today but did little that was useful to the world ... lazy me.
Good for you, Grace, on having served...
- Lucy
Hi Lucy! I'll have to look up passenger pigeons now. :o) I loved that movie. Saving Private Ryan. What a gut wrencher. I suppose we could really support our sisters and make a push for the selective service registration to include women. I wonder why Gloria Steinem and the horrific Andrea Dworkin never pushed for that equal right? I would gladly give up my right to vote if it meant peace on earth, goodwill toward all men, and no more wars.
I read that more women than men actually supported this Iraq invasion. I wonder why? I wonder if it's true. If so, that's sick! I could go on and on about Iraq and its futility, and how that invasion had nothing to do with the "war" on terror. All propaganda, I think -for the big boys wanting more power and toys and the women who push & prod them along. :o) Did you know that of the 10 wealthiest persons in America, #3 is a woman? Extremely powerful one, too. Yup. It's true. I think I know who *really* calls the political shots.
Alice Walton, daughter of Wal-mart man Sam. She was the 20th largest contributor to the U.S. presidential election in 2004. Yup. Now, that's a Texan lady who calls the shots. Make no mistake.
Interesting fodder for another day. She's pretty public ... but I'll bet there are quite a few women who privately tweak their financially and politically powerful men according to their own agenda as well as whim and will.
;o)
I wish I could be lazy more often. Alas.
Yeah, I supppose there are some hussie type war-mongering women out there. Sort of like the Ann Richard type? Gunslinger Annie type?
I dunno! I made that up (I think?)
Hi Tink, hope your week is going well....xx
Hi Tink!
I think it is a wonderful post in that you honor the animal/bird veterans. I learned something here today. Didn't know that about the pigeons. I respect all birds anyway. They do more for humans than we know.
As far as the human factors of the war. I met a man Sunday night who was a Vietnam vet. He has Parkinson's Disease from the Agent Orange, etc. I can't get him out of my mind. I want to cry just thinking about him. I wonder if old GW ever thinks of the soldiers he sent to war. Do you think he cries about them? Or even cares?
Hope your weekend is a good one!
XO
Zoe
Zoe...I think George W. is unable to have deep enough thoughts to even give a damn. Let's face it...he's just not a bright guy. I won't go into detail because I think we all know them. I'm not even saying that going into Iraq was initially a bad idea, but this war has been so mis-managed it's ridiculous.
The bigger problem I have is that whoever our next President is will probably be just as bad if not worse. Republicans and Democrats both blow chimp. I'm an equal oppotunity offender and I'm equally offended by both sides. Feel free to find me a decent candidate out there. If there were a "none of the above" choice on the ballot, I think he'd win overwhelmingly.
I hate politics, period.
Sad, but true.
Hi Guys!
Sorry ... am crazy busy. Will get back tonight and comment proper. Thanks for all your wonderful and interesting thoughts. "See" you tonight!
xo
Have a great weekend yourself Tink. June loooooves Marlin for some reason, she is so excited when he comes around, showers him with kisses.
Hope all is well in your world.
xx grace
Rob, I agree with you 100%. What worries me is what will happen if we do get someone that is worse than the one we're stuck with now? We're screwed.
Hi Tink!
Zoe
Yeah Lucy Annie Get Yer Gun! :o)
I really do hate politics. I agree with Rob in that they all seem to be cut from the same cloth. Groomed from birth by families of power, influence, money. It's disheartening as an American.
Aww ::::hugs:::: for Zoe According to the government, adverse medical effects from Agent Orange don't exist. :::BLARF::: I have a good friend who has to wander the Vets Medical system. It's horrific.
Hi Grace hugs to the "kids"! I forgot to write about the dogs in the Vietnam War who aided the troops. I wonder if they, too, suffered ill effects from stress and chemical warfare? :o( The worse part is that, just the same as those who get drafted, the animals have no say whatsoever in whether they want to be there or not. God love 'em all. And hope that the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, Future pay "our" politicians a visit this year.
xo
Post a Comment