For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for November 10, 2019

Happy Veterans’ Day, my fellow U.S. citizens. Happy Remembrance Day, Canadians (and other British Commonwealth citizens).

Most of the examples shown are from World War One. The ones from WWII are also great, although some were more fun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyye06skfbE

GOD BLESS our veterans everyone! Uncle Sonny, is your reading this you too.

We will remember them.

I had four draft age Uncles, all brothers, who went into that meat grinder, one in the second wave of the Normandy invasion, and miraculously they all came home alive and intact; although in his later years, the Normandy brother, in failing health had undergone a full body cat scan which uncovered 17 small pieces of shrapnel embedded in various parts of his body.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”Lest we forget

Only problem is there are no bluebirds in England.

But in what kind of state did he come home? PTSD / shellshock IS still a thing.

Thank you Lynn

If only politicians and governments would treat war as seriously as what war does to people during and after it. And treat veterans accordingly and not as a photo op. It’s not a business philosophy or a campaign slogan for cryin’ out loud (literally). Service to a nation should earn respect.

My father went, but didn’t come home. He is still over ther in a cemetery in Belgium.

Lynn’s Comments:

My dad used to sing these songs and I learned the words to most of them. They were great songs with wonderful lyrics—written to brighten one’s mood during the darkest of times.

Thanks Lynn!

Myself,My Entire Family ( Lost an Older Brother to Vietnam,101st Airborne. ) and All those Who have Served in some way (The Families,Friends,Etc. They Too made Sacrifices and Must Not Be Forgotten ! ) Thank You and Appreciate the Rememberance You are Giving. I Too want to Salute All Who Have Served ! ALL Gave Something,Some Gave ALL ! Feedom Is Not Free ! Never Forget ! You-All Have a Great Day and Be Safe ! :-) Even at 64yrs I would do it again if needed. :-) “Space” GSM2/E5 USS Yorktown CG48 Engineering/S.S.D.F. Middle East-Gulf of Sidra-Gadhafi-Libya-Achilles Laurel ( May Leon Klinghoffer R.I.P./G.B.N.F.) We were 0n the Horizon only One Hour Away from a Helo-Drop and Rescue. SO SAD !!!! :-{

Regarding “Pack Up Your Troubles” in Panel 2:

Lynn might not have been able to get away with the line that follows that one. See for yourselves as to why (I don’t dare post the line myself):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4N1AsGYvgo

Four uncles and two aunts, all joined the Canadian Army or Navy. All came home, two with a war bride.

Major bonus points for repertoire there. And on this Remembrance Day / Veterans Day weekend, thank you one and all for your service.

My Dad was a Hong Kong Veteran. A Winnipeg Grenadier. Many of his friends didn’t make it home. And there was no counselling for the ones who did. PTSD wasn’t a thing then. It was suck it up and be a man.

Lynn, this one brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for honoring them.

My great-great grandfather served in the Civil War (Union side), my grandfather was an ambulance driver in WWI, my dad was in the Coast Guard, on the Oregon coast (they really were afraid of invasion then) and both of my brothers served – one Air Force and one Coast Guard – during the cold war. I am proud of each and every one of them.

Hurrah.

The lady who sang “They’ll Be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover” (and many others), Dame Vera Lynn is still alive.

If we don’t wise up soon, Nature may just shed her tears and bid us goodbye.

Thank you Lynn for a powerful strip honoring veterans. BTY my email address is no longer active. I have a new one.

What about “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B”, “This Is The Army Mr. Jones”, and " Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree"?

My Dad was in the US Army Air Corps, serving mostly in the South Pacific.

I noticed Po Atarau in Lynn’s list. In WW-I, Australia and New Zealand managed to get a command independent of Britain, the ANZACs Before going to Europe, they trained in Australia, introducing the Maori song of farewell there. It has since become the standard “last dance” tune there. It must have been translated into English literally, because it has no rhyme. However there are minor differences, as is typical with folk music. “Now is the hour when you and I must part; soon you’ll be sailing far across the sea. While you’re away, oh then remember me, and when you return you’ll find me waiting here.” In the context of shipping out in wartime, a real tear-jerker.

Ethnologist Sir Peter Buck was a medical officer in a Maori unit in WW-I. In transit, they had to stop periodically to exercise from the 40 or 8 boxcars. Most units had to line up for push-ups and jumping jacks. To everyone’s amazement, the Maori simply danced a haka. “It worked out every muscle in the body – including facial ones.”