Sixty-nine years ago . . . This date should never be forgotten. Neither should the approximately 418,500 Americans who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of victory – or, for that matter, the three-million-odd Japanese who were sent to their deaths by a passionately militarist government, or the millions of others who died under Japanese occupation… Continue reading Lest we forget
Tag: In Memoriam
Sad news for the ballooning fraternity
Back in October, Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis disappeared over the Adriatic Sea while competing in the 54th Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race. They had left England four days before, along with the other contestants, all trying to cover the maximum possible distance (the object of the race). A search for them was unsuccessful… Continue reading Sad news for the ballooning fraternity
Remembering a pioneer in computer systems
Professor Sir Maurice Wilkes has died in England. The Telegraph reports: Professor Sir Maurice Wilkes, who died on Monday aged 97, led the Cambridge University team that built the world’s first operational stored-program computer. The computer, known as EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) was a huge contraption that took up a room in what… Continue reading Remembering a pioneer in computer systems
RIP, Dino de Laurentiis
I guess most of you will by now have learned of the death of Dino de Laurentiis, the famous film producer, at the age of 91. Fans of ‘guy movies’ all over the world will be saddened by the news, and are probably hoisting a beer or three in the general direction of his shade.… Continue reading RIP, Dino de Laurentiis
Armistice / Remembrance / Veterans Day
Flynn was a tall, strapping redhead, always grinning to himself, as if he’d seen the Sergeant-Major’s fly gaping open as he called the parade to attention when the brass marched on. His size and strength helped a few of us in our early days, when he’d intervene in the inevitable hazing all roofies (novices, ‘newbies’)… Continue reading Armistice / Remembrance / Veterans Day
In Memoriam: Sir Norman Wisdom
I was sorry to read that Sir Norman Wisdom, the British comedy actor, died yesterday. I grew up with his movies, and had many a good laugh at his gift for making the sublime into the ridiculous. He was never well-known in the USA, so most of my readers probably won’t be familiar with his… Continue reading In Memoriam: Sir Norman Wisdom
The last act of World War One?
It was reported today that on Sunday, October 3, 2010, Germany will make the final payment on reparations due to the victorious Powers in terms of the Treaty of Versailles that concluded World War I. World War One finally ends for Germany on Sunday with the last payment of nearly £60 million [almost US $95… Continue reading The last act of World War One?
In Memoriam: Mitch Miller
I was sad to learn of the recent death of renowned musician and conductor Mitch Miller. From my earliest years I can remember the songs of ‘Mitch Miller and the Gang’, played by my parents on their valve-driven turntable. Their Christmas carols in particular became part of our household repertoire (not that we ever sang… Continue reading In Memoriam: Mitch Miller
Lest the nation forget: Ernie Pyle (1900-1945)
I’m saddened to read that the Ernie Pyle Home in Dana, IN, is threatened with closure due to financial difficulties. They’re not huge – the home, run as a museum, only needs $14,000 per year to cover its costs – but for a small town, and for the budget-strapped State of Indiana, that’s just too… Continue reading Lest the nation forget: Ernie Pyle (1900-1945)
A remarkable life
The Telegraph has published the obituary of a remarkable woman. She’s impressive both for her accomplishments and for her moral courage. Lady Lindsay of Birker, who has died aged 93, was the daughter of a rich Chinese landowner and became a British peeress after falling in love with Michael Lindsay, later the 2nd Lord Lindsay… Continue reading A remarkable life