Tue, 13 Nov 2007
Frank Buckles
Frank Buckles (thank God for wikipedia) is the last surviving American veteran of World War 1 - here's an excellent article by Richard Rubin in yesterday's NYT.
Two of my many great-uncles, John K Bragg and Osa Bragg, went to France in 1918. Uncle Osa kept a box of memorabilia from his tour through France and Germany that was given to me after he died. It's upstairs high atop a closet shelf to keep the kids away from it - I really need to get the material scanned and on the web, perhaps with the help of our two oldest.
posted by Bill White at 18:48 | permalink | email me | | |
Wed, 17 Oct 2007
That explains Europe
Just between you and me, Europe seems a little off lately, doesn't it, the last hundred years or so? The elevator doesn't quite go to the top floor anymore, if you get my drift. Now I'm not a doctor, but maybe Europe's self-lobotomization has something to do with it.
posted by Bill White at 01:00 | permalink | email me | | |
Mon, 01 Oct 2007
That beautiful sound
It's strange that the instruments of war should be so beautiful. Here's a video of an airshow this year in Blenheim, New Zealand, that featured seven Fokker Dr I triplanes, a Fokker D VII, a SE5a, a Sopwith Camel, and a Nieuport. You can find details of the planes here.
posted by Bill White at 12:55 | permalink | email me | | |
Wed, 26 Sep 2007
Google Maps & YouTube test
Here's the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France; the Meuse-Argonne offensive began today in 1918.
View Larger Map
And here's a video of the cemetery and memorial:
posted by Bill White at 10:51 | permalink | email me | | |
