The Daily Dose/November 11, 2021
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
Editor’s Note: today’s Leading Off item originally ran – with a few minor changes – on Veterans Day 2017. It was rehashed in 2019 and is offered again today and regular readers of this crap know the possibility of seeing it again in 2022 cannot be entirely dismissed.
TEN HUT!: You know, honestly, we cannot remember Veterans Day being the big deal it is today while growing up. And we come from a family of many veterans.
9/11 changed that, of course, because since 9/11 – when first responders became heroes – the reverence for veterans has grown, too. We are routinely thanked for our service now, which never used to happen before 9/11, and on Veterans Day we could scam complimentary meals left and right if moved so to do.
FunFact: We generally don’t go out of our way to do that, though. On the other hand, we don’t throw a tantrum if we’re not presented with a check.
What A Surprise, Dry, Technical Matter. November 11 has been an American holiday since 1938, born out of the earlier celebrations of the armistice that ended the major fighting in World War I at 11 am on November 11, 1918. Originally known as Armistice Day, it became Veterans Day in 1954.
War Is Hell: Fighting continued right up until the eleventh hour, too. Some units didn’t want to make themselves vulnerable by yielding an advantage while some didn’t want to have to haul their ammo away why others wanted the best possible position should fighting start again. In all, over 2,700 men died on November 11, including a Canadian two minutes before peace took effect and an American at 10:59.
USA! USA!: Life in the service was pretty routine for most of us. Personally, we served on an old diesel submarine, the USS Blueback, the last diesel combat submarine in the United States Navy. We’re still pretty young and if we get regular exercise and watch between-meal treats we one day we might well be the last diesel boat veteran in this country.
Fly In The Ointment: Some, of course, did not serve routine tours. Some died in the service of their country and some contributed exploits we are still talking about today. Some are not entirely pleased with their service and too many are homeless and each day an average of 22 vets will kill themselves, choosing to continue their service on heaven’s parade ground.
The Bottom Line: Looking back at honorable service to your country is one of life’s great prizes. We are the son, brother, grandson, cousin and nephew of veterans and we hardly have an exclusive on that. You’re welcome. It was our privilege.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – At the hotel, the keyboard at the back office desk is a mess. Today’s Diary.
…it looked like it had been used as a serving platter…Not only were there crumbs all over the place, but there was some gunk on the keyboard which is bad for morale because it’s good policy to be suspicious of gunk on a keyboard…
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1911 – A freak weather phenomenon causes many cities in the US Midwest to experience record highs and lows on the same day. In Springfield, Missouri the temperature went from 80 degrees at 3:45 pm to 40 degrees in 15 minutes and would fall to 13 degrees at midnight. In Rock County, Wisconsin a blizzard followed a tornado within an hour and in Chicago people died of both heatstroke and cold. History refers to the episode as the Great Blue Norther or 11/11/11.
In 1981 – The Minnesota North Stars become the second NHL team since the red line was implemented in 1943 to score 15 goals in a game in a 15-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. After a Jets goal at the 5:02 mark in the second period made it 4-2, the North Stars scored the final eleven goals. The only other teams to score at least 15 goals in a game are the Detroit Red Wings (15; 1/23/44) and the Montreal Canadiens (16; 3/3/1920)
In 1978 – Chaka Khan is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as Hot Soul Singles Chart – for the first of three consecutive weeks with I’m Every Woman. It was her first solo hit after several years with the group Rufus and was her first of six #1 soul songs. The song also peaked at #21 on the Hot 100 and at #11 in Great Britain and in 1993 a version by Whitney Houston peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 and at #5 on the soul chart.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, if he first forms a good plan, and makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.
Benjamin Franklin
Autobiography
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The NHL record for the most tie games in a season is 24, by the 1969-70 Philadelphia Flyers.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What was Chaka Khan’s biggest hit on the Hot 100? – Answer next time!
