Mocassins stomp and drums drum sadness over the loss of life during war . . .

Moccasin Musings

On November 11, 2102, and every year, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month the world stops to remember the day the Great War ended, in 1918.  The Great War, now called World War I (WWI) was a global war centered in Europe that began on July 28^th, 1914 and lasted until November 11^th, 1918. It was then called the World War or the Great War; it changed to World War I after the start of World War II in 1939.

But, on the 11th hour on the 11^th day of the 11^th month, 1918, at 5:00 in the morning, Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France. This First World War left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded. In addition, at least five million civilians died from disease, starvation, or exposure.

Canada, for the first time in its history, fought as a distinct unit under a Canadian-born commander, General Arthur W. Currie, and fought in battles such as Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, and the Battle of the Somme.  Canadians as part of Canada’s heritage and identity remember the soldiers that fought.

620,000 Canadian men and women participated in the war.  In general, non-whites were not welcomed into the military. When "blacks" from Sydney, Nova Scotia, volunteered their services they were told, "This is not for you fellows, this is a "white man's" war."  In the end however, some segregated "black" units were formed. In 1915, Aboriginal Canadians, were allowed to enlist. In total, about 3,500 Aboriginal Canadians served with the Canadian Forces in this war.  The Canadian Japanese Association in British Columbia put forward a volunteer reserve force of 227 men, some of whom were later admitted into the military.   Blacks crossed over the United States  border in order to enlist.  They, and the Canadian blacks, were segregated during their tour, both on ships and in camps. Canada's total casualties stood at the end of the war at 67,000 killed and 173,000 wounded, out of the 620,000 mobilized to fight.

World War I was known as the "war to end all wars" because of the great slaughter and destruction it caused. 

Gene Sanderson is owner, with his wife, Shirley, of Marie Shoes.com. Marie Shoes.com has been selling quality moccasins, mukluks and slippers around the world since 2006.