What Might Have Been

[Cap]

While combing through old newspaper files, time and again I've come across articles about young lads who joined up in Canada to fight in France during The Great War. While they underwent training, quite a few took up boxing to stay in shape, and there were regular tournaments in the camps. I'm left wondering how many of those boys would have made careers for themselves in the prize ring if they hadn't gotten killed or maimed in that senseless conflict.

I've taken a few of those lads at random and inserted them in my alternate universe where the First World War was just a minor local conflict and the Second never took place. There are a few from Canada, a couple from Germany, some from Britain, a smattering of Australian and New Zealand lads, etc.

Cap

[meade95]

Then again, it is because of the sacrifices made during that "senseless war" (your words) that actually gave (most) of the fightes since the opportunities to become what they did (have).........some could easily point out / suggest.

God rest their brave souls....... They don't need pitty in my opinion. Just to be remembered, honored and thankful for.

[gocubsgo]

Well put Meade. I will admit that i try to teach my kids about the sacrifices made by our soldiers in WW1 and WW2. Many of them were kids who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country for the better good of all. When i think about todays kids having to do the same thing i shudder with fear. Now i am starting to sound like my parents thanks Cap.

[Cap]

Originally Posted by meade95

Then again, it is because of the sacrifices made during that "senseless war" (your words) that actually gave (most) of the fightes since the opportunities to become what they did (have).........some could easily point out / suggest.

God rest their brave souls....... They don't need pitty in my opinion. Just to be remembered, honored and thankful for.

World War 1 was a senseless conflict fought between obsolete kindred monarchies for pointless objectives. The kids who got massacred had very little idea of why they were fighting. They were brave souls used as fodder by politicians and generals pursuing convoluted goals.

Without World War 1 there would have been no European role in World War 2. The war in the Pacific may still have happened, but who knows what impact the Great War had in influencing Japanese foreign policy.

Seems to me if those boys had the choice between dying and living they most likely would have chosen to live.

Cap

[meade95]

Originally Posted by Cap

World War 1 was a senseless conflict fought between obsolete kindred monarchies for pointless objectives. The kids who got massacred had very little idea of why they were fighting. They were brave souls used as fodder by politicians and generals pursuing convoluted goals.

Without World War 1 there would have been no European role in World War 2. The war in the Pacific may still have happened, but who knows what impact the Great War had in influencing Japanese foreign policy.

Seems to me if those boys had the choice between dying and living they most likely would have chosen to live.

Cap

Somethings are worth dying for - And I believe you give those who fought in WWI (and WWII) far less intellectual credit then they deserve.

Additionally, an evil like Hitler would always find a reason to create havoc and war - It does not need a pre-existing excuse -

There is evil in this world.....and that evil needs to be confronted, not run from and not negotiated with.....Confronted and defeated. Full stop. (now back to boxing for me).

[Cap]

I bow to your superior intellect and indisputable arguments. You are a shining example of the great minds produced by the American educational system.

Pax vobiscum

Cap