The Daily Dose/November 11, 2019
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.
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 11am 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
The Diary of a Nobody: The cat misses The Wife, too. Today’s Diary.
The cat misses The Wife, too, because I am getting more attention than I usually do…I’m getting more tummy rubs and pets and the cat even escorted me to the kitchen when my burger patty was ready…I was at my desk farting around and the stove’s timer went off and the cat trotted in from the kitchen and hopped on my desk and when I got up she preceded me into the kitchen and hopped on the kitchen table…She likes burger patties, too…She’s spoiled rotten because I let her get away with murder, so she’s right there with me, pawing at my meal…I actually enjoy this.
It’s Sparrow, an average man passing an average life.
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On This Date
In 1620 – The first governing document in what would become the United States – the Mayflower Compact – is signed aboard the Mayflower, then anchored off of Cape Cod. Typically, the compact was negotiated by the males on board, who were desirous of maintaining order and establishing a civil society. Though the original Mayflower Compact was lost long ago, copies exist though, one of which is 196 words long, about a fifth of which pays homage to King James, whom they fled in search of religious tolerance.
In 1944 – The New York Rangers defeat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1, ending their NHL-record winless streak at 25 consecutive games. The streak had started the previous season, on Jan. 23, 1944, with a 15-0 loss to the Red Wings and the Rangers went 0-21-4 during the streak, including an 0-4 start to the 1944-45 season. The record was broken twice in the 1975-76 season, first by the Washington Capitals (25 games) and then by the Kansas City Scouts (27 games). The mark is now held by the Winnipeg Jets, who went winless in 30 consecutive games in the 1980-81 season.
In 1978 – Donna Summer is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first of three consecutive weeks with MacArthur Park. The song also went to #1 in Canada, peaked at #5 in Great Britain and was in its fourth of five weeks at #1 on Billboard’s disco chart. It was the first of four #1 songs for Summer whose last Top 40 hit was 1989’s This Time I Know It’s For Real. Versions of MacArthur Park by Richard Harris (#2, 1968), Waylon Jennings (#93, 1969) and the Four Tops (#38, 1971) also hit the Hot 100 as well.
Quotebook
…in the long run, success or failure will be conditioned upon the way in which the average man, the average woman, does his or her duty… The stream will not permanently rise higher than the main source; and the main source of national power and national greatness is found in the average citizenship of the nation.
Theodore Roosevelt
Man in the Arena Speech
4/23/1910
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Of the twelve NBA games where both teams have combined for at least 316 points, the Denver Nuggets have been involved in four of them.
Today’s Stumper
The Mayflower ended up off the Massachusetts coast by mistake. Where were they originally headed? – Answer next time!
