# 379 - November 6th, 2013
Greetings
one and all – if you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin… The special
Veterans Day event held annually at Evergreen Cemetery on A.V. Way will take
place this coming Sunday, November 10 at 10.30am. In terms of taking a
deep breath and thinking about what really matters, in my humble opinion, this
is one of the more important community gatherings of the year so please think
seriously about attending. It should be stressed that this special occasion is
not an overtly political, militaristic, or religious event. It does, however,
offer a chance for us to show support and gratitude for both those who gave
their lives or were wounded in wars of the past, and for those who have served
or continue to serve so that we may have the freedoms and liberties that we
continue to enjoy today.
With
showers possibly in the forecast, the organizers inform me that inclement
weather will not postpone this ceremony; after all, those who are being
remembered went through far worse I’m sure. However, in the event of
significant rain, signs will be posted at the cemetery informing you that the
event has been moved to the Veterans Hall / Senior Center in Boonville.
Different place, same time – 10.30am, Sunday, November 10....
With this in mind, I am going to
forego our ‘Quote of the Week’ and instead present a poem. These very moving
words are by World War One poet, Wilfred Owen, probably the finest war poet of
all, and the poem is entitled “Disabled” (1917). It expresses the tormented
thoughts and recollections of a teenaged soldier in the Great War who has lost
his limbs in battle and is now confined, utterly helpless, to a wheelchair. The
subject contrasts the living death he is now facing with the youthful pleasures
he had enjoyed "before he threw away his knees"; he goes on to recall
the impetuous and frivolous circumstances in which he had joined up to fight in
the war. He also notes how the crowds that greeted his return were smaller and
less enthusiastic than those who cheered his departure, and how women no longer
look at him but instead at "the strong men who were whole". In the
opinion of many, myself included, it is one of the finest anti-war poems ever
written and its appearance in this column for a third time (last time 2011) is
something I hope is appreciated…
“He sat in
a wheeled chair, waiting for dark,
And
shivered in his ghastly suit of grey,
Legless,
sewn short at elbow. Through the park
Voices of
boys rang saddening like a hymn,
Voices of
play and pleasure after day,
Till
gathering sleep had mothered them from him.
About this
time Town used to swing so gay
When
glow-lamps budded in the light blue trees,
And girl
glanced lovelier as the air grew dim---
In the old
times, before he threw away his knees.
Now he will
never feel again how slim
Girl's
waists are, or how warm their subtle hands.
All of them
touch him like some queer disease.
One time he
liked a blood-smear down his leg,
After the
matches, carried shoulder-high.
It was
after football, when he'd drunk a peg,
He thought
he'd better join. He wonders why.
Someone had
said he'd look a god in kilts,
That's why;
and maybe, too, to please his Meg,
Aye, that
was it, to please the giddy jilts
He asked to
join. He didn't have to beg;
Smiling
they wrote his lie: aged nineteen years.
Germans he
scarcely thought of; all their guilt,
And
Austria's, did not move him. And no fears
Of fear
came yet. He thought of jewelled hilts
For daggers
in plaid socks; of smart salutes;
And care of
arms; and leave; and pay arrears;
Esprit de
corps; and hints for young recruits.
And soon,
he was drafted out with drums and cheers.
Some
cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal.
Only a
solemn man who brought him fruits
Thanked
him; and then enquired about his soul.
Now, he
will spend a few sick years in institutes,
And do what
things the rules consider wise,
And take
whatever pity they may dole.
Tonight he
noticed how the women's eyes
Passed from
him to the strong men that were whole.
How cold
and late it is! Why don't they come
And put him
into bed? Why don't they come?”
p.s.
The poet Wilfred Owen was killed in action at the age of twenty-five, on Nov 4th,
1918, just one week before the war ended. Ironically, the telegram from the War
Office announcing his death was delivered to his mother's home as her town's
church bells were ringing in celebration of the Armistice signalling the end of the War.
Onward…… Public
Service Announcements (P.S.A.’s)… Calendars and pens at the ready… #101 - Why
not get a healthy breakfast first and then head down to the Cemetery to pay
your respects at the Veterans Day service? Now that’s a constructive, and
meaningful Sunday morning if I’ve ever heard of one! Such a feast can be found
at the monthly A.V. Grange Pancake and Egg Breakfast from 8.30am-11am. In my
humble opinion I think you’ll find yourself feeling better in so many ways -
mentally, spiritually, gastronomically - if you attend both of these unique
Valley gatherings… #102 - The Boonville Winter Market starts up this weekend,
on Saturday, November 9 at Boonville General Store from 11am-1pm… #103 - The
annual Fair Board Elections take place at 7pm on Monday, November 11. If you
are an energetic person with lots of realistic new ideas on how to make the Fair
more profitable then they need your help! Call 895-3111 for more details.
(Hippies need not apply)…#104 - The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will
make their monthly visit to the Valley on Thursday, November 14 from 2-3.30pm
at the A.V. Farm Supply…
Moving
quickly on to a few of the topics and Valley events under discussion this week
at The Three-Dot Lounge – yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant
(and often Reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where
people get together and share their thoughts about life in A.V.…
… Excellent news! The valuable liquor license that
allows folks around these parts to enjoy a martini, a single malt scotch, a
Tanqueray and tonic, or even a Trainwreck, looks like it will be staying in
town. I am not at liberty to discuss when and where but trust me on this - you
can thank me later!…
… While reflecting at the Three-Dot, a number of regulars
and I decided that the comments we made about menacing and curmudgeonly CalTran
workers were unfair. Some of these guys are pleasant and they do smile and
wave; certainly a few of the guys on our Boonville Crew do - Derek Wyant, Tyler
Neal, and Eric Bloyd to mention just three. They even tell you how long the
wait will be - now that is some good public relations that other crews could
learn from. Keep it up, guys - it makes waiting in line just a little bit more
pleasant...
… High School sports play-offs are coming up for both
the soccer boys and volleyball girls as these two programs seek to add another
Championship to each of their already distinguished collection. The soccer
team, the #1 seeds, will host a match on Saturday, November 9 with a 2pm kick-off
at Tom Smith Field alongside the school, while the girls volleyball season has
a further week of the regular season before postseason play begins on Nov 13
with a home game at the high school gym… Come out and give your support to
these two excellent groups of high school student athletes - it would be much
appreciated…
Well
now I think it’s time to take my leave… Be careful out there; stay out of the
ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you… Hope to see you at
the Veterans Day gathering…
Very humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…
p.s. You can contact me with words of support/abuse
either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>
p.p.s. On the sheep, Grace…
p.p.p.s. Hi, Silver Swan – behaving yourself? Hopefully
not!
p.p.p.p.s. Bobwhite Quail - keep up the knitting!
posted by Turkey Vulture @ 9:51 AM
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