11-11-18

No Gravatar

You know, we write these dates, never really considering that they are not quite as descriptive as we think.  Because the date to which I refer is not five years from now, but 95 years ago.

On the 11th hour of the 11th month in 1918, “The Great War” ended.  That’s what the First World War was called back then.  It’s the name my father learned, too- but  it was among the last sanctioned battles in which my grandfather (my mother’s father) was a participant.

President Wilson intoned, ” To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day [what Veteran’s Day was first called- and the name by which it is known outside the US] will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

I don’t know the birth date of my grandfather, Sol Kuchlik.  Because they didn’t track that well- and because my grandfather was a man in a hurry.  He was born on Chanuka (that he remembers well) in Minsk, now part of Belarus, then part of the “Pale of Settlement” associated with Russia.

Teddy Roosevelt, Jack Persing, and my grandfather
Teddy Roosevelt, Jack Pershing, my grandfather

He was a strapping young man with bright red hair.  And, strong.  Willing to do anything to get out of the Pale- and to the ‘Goldena Medina’…  Crossing Europe by himself.  Getting to America and fending for himself, never letting anyone know how old [read “young’] he really was.

I don’t even know how he met my grandmother.  But, I do know he fell for her in a big way before he was asked by his boss to help Black Jack Pershing in a new war.  (Rumor had it that all three had met decades before.) Thinking he might have been kind of old for the job, but strong enough and smart enough to perform the special task his boss had in mind.

Like many a soldier, my grandfather wrote to his “girl” back home.  I have some of those postcards somewhere.  I remember finding them after he died and realizing that there was yet another part of this man I did not know. But, I know they married soon after he returned to New York and stayed that way until they died.

Every once in a while, I could get him to talk about his exploits.  Most of which he kept inside.  His normal response was to immediately pepper me with arithmetic (or math, as I aged) questions.  Ones that demanded instantaneous responses.  He wanted me to use my brain- quickly, adeptly, and to do great things.

Here’s to you, Sol Kuchlik.  I miss you very much.

And, every other Veteran.  It’s your day.  You earned it.

 

By the way, this moment, 11-11-18 at the 11th hour, was the exact birth date and time for one of my dedicated employees.  A veteran of another war.  Here’s to you, as well, Harry Thornton!

 

If you are a veteran- today only– Kiplinger is offering it’s $ 50 tool for free!  This helps retired/current military- and their spouses- compute the best strategy to maximize their Social Security benefits.  (It includes those years where active duty service offers special credits for Social Security, too.)   You will obtain a 2o+ page report.  Oh, and Wells Fargo is paying that fee for you- but, remember, it’s today only!

 

Share this:
Share this page via Email Share this page via Stumble Upon Share this page via Digg this Share this page via Facebook Share this page via Twitter
Share

10 thoughts on “11-11-18”

  1. I think my grandfather came from the same area, the name Minsk is familiar. I heard stories about him coming here alone, but I found a ship that seemed to have him on it, my grandmother who was not my grandmother yet (but the story was she was on the ship) and there were a bunch of people with the same last name. But of course when you are young you feel like you are on an adventure alone. He came to American, worked in the garment district to get the rest of his family here and helped 2 brothers become doctors. His is a great story that I never heard of.
    Ann Mullen recently posted..How Retro — Staying In Your Own Modified Home, Sweet Home

    1. Interesting, Ann… When did he get here? Maybe he worked for my grandfather who had a fairly large dress shop in the 20’s and 30’s? (Knowing that folks in Minsk and Pinsk did stick together- and by then, he admitted he was from Minsk.)

  2. Your grandfather was a great man, Roy. And, best of all, he came back from the battlefield. Out of 3 brothers, 2 never came back (my great-uncles). The other one came back with only one leg. We are very fortunate to live in a more peaceful world.
    MuMuGB recently posted..Are French Men Irresistible?

    1. That is exactly why I wrote this piece, Muriel. To honor your great-uncle’s memory and effort – that lets us sit and bask in the penury or luxury afforded their sacrifice for our freedom.
      I wish the world were more peaceful now- it’s just that we are more divorced from the wars we fight- since we send professional soldiers, we use drones, we use sophisticated machines- and they still provide injury and/or death to others.

Comments are closed.