Two veterans of World War I passed away this week. One was German, the other French. The German veteran, Erich Kästner, aged 107, is though to have been the last survivor of the Great War, and his death went nearly unnoticed. He had been married to his wife Maria for 75 years until she died in 2003, aged 102. Germany does not keep track of its veterans, with two defeats in both World War having left major scars.
The Frenchman, the last-but-one French survivor, Louis de Cazenave, died earlier in the week at the age of 110. A tribute was paid by the French government, as the last of the "poilus", the hairy ones or French footsoldiers. Quite a contrast.
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Sad news, whatever their nationality. All soldiers should be shown respect.
ReplyDeleteCarolxx
wow, they both sure lived LONG lives!!
ReplyDeletelj
amazing at how long they lived and how many changes they saw in the world over their lifetime
ReplyDeletebetty
Sad really when you think of it. He lived a long life. I don't think I would want to live that long myself.
ReplyDeleteJeanie
Well, they had wonderful long lives considering they went through so very much. Sad that the Germans, through shame, did not do more to honour this man.
ReplyDeleteWould have been very interesting to have read interviews with both men, say last year to see their views and reflections. - Barbara
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