View allAll Photos Tagged aftermath...
the mess left behind up at the top of my street after the hurricane.
My girlfriend's place is Dee's Place on the right. That large brown lump in front of it is her SUV under a hunk of roof that blew off the grey building up on the boardwalk behind them.
You can see the power lines on the other side of the street.
A real mess for sure, but the most important thing is that nobody got hurt.
Another shot looking back down my street from the top of the boardwalk.
All I can say is after over 4 days with no electric.....which is DIFFERENT than having no electric back home, where I'm better equipped to deal with it......was no picnic, but having my wonderful friends and neighbors here, made what could have frankly been a real pain in the ass, just a minor inconvenience.
I am blessed!
Some very unhappy snaps from my trip to the coast to get youngest daughter's plaster removed for wound cleaning. So much ruin. Some bleak beauty, but plenty of very ugly. Some weird lucky breaks, some unimaginable awful luck, sadness and loss.
Every year over 60,000 people fill golden gate park in San Francisco for 3 days straight to have their minds overtaken by the ambience and high energy of sound waves blasting out of speakers and ricocheting off of trees. Unfortunately when it's over, it's over. Here you see strong flood lights attempting to pierce through SF's powerful fog to illuminate the way out for the last few stragglers still drunk off the euphoric closing show.
"War is truly a terrible thing. Void of compassion, lacking in purpose, and deprived of honor. They will give us our metals when we return home, they will laud our courage and our bravery, and they will erect monuments in our name. But they will forget. They will forget the screams of pain, carrying like the voice of the devil across the battlefield! They will forget the terror and the blood! The suffering and anguish! They will forget, and live on. Yet we will not. How can we be able to live with ourselves; with the memories of those we slayed, and our friends who were slain, weighing us down? Medals and monuments will not ease this burden! Tales of our chivalry will not assuage our pain! I beg you, dear friend, remember! For as soon as we forget, all hope of us being at peace is lost."
So about a month ago, our city ( Burlington) was hit with a crazy rain storm, it was like 2 months of rain in about 3 hours something nuts!!!. Unfortunately , pretty much everyone on our street including us suffered pretty bad flooded basements , so as you can see behind me, this is what's left over , thank god for insurance. Time for the rebuild now
BTW, I lost a PCB softbox, my background stand and about 3 rolls of seamless, not bad but still sucks
Nice to back on here , hope everyone is well
AB800 through a beauty dish @ about 1/16 power
Demolition of 14 Shaftesbury Street, Glasgow. The resulting dust cloud coming our way.
Taken with Neo7Geo, head to his page for his version...
45147 at Patricroft on 26th December 1984 after collision at Eccles earlier that month.
The loco appears to be stabled on a spur (long since lifted) that led to the old steam depot.
These were the days when the remnants of train crashes were left on view or partially covered up for a good while after the event. I remember seeing the sleeping coaches from the Taunton fire at the lineside for a long time after the incident in 1978.
I went to the local prayer vigil to take some pics , expecting a large crowd, but not so. But those of us who were there will never forget it. It was outside the Ukrainian church and it was cold and very windy with night fast approaching. A little way into the service, the priest asked all that were gathered to pray, Unbeknown to those gathered, a rather large bough of a tree nearby(see pic) decided to fall to earth in a big way. One helluva light show and sparks galore and a decent explosion as it’s branches got tangled in the overhead wires and the base of the bough touched ground. None of us knew this at the time other than a unanimous WTF???? But a voice in the crowd shouted out, putting it all in perspective “ that’s the power of prayer” or was it a small taste of what so many people are experiencing day to day in a far off distant land. The people prayed on as fire trucks and police cars, sirens wailing and lights flashing arrived at the scene. How fortunate we all are to be in Canada.
© All rights reserved: don't use this image on websites, blogs or media without my explicit permission.
Sopra: immagine conservata a Liberty Island (New York prima dell'11 settembre 2001). Lo stesso skyline fotografato nel mio ultimo viaggio a New York, nel dicembre scorso, 2008. Mai dimenticare!
Could this be the scene the morning after a Beacherfest event? Perhaps, but it's actually empties waiting to be exchanged for loads outside Doud's Market on Mackinac Island.
Sunrise at Copenhagen harbour, just hours after the heaviest storm ever recorded in denmark ... If you look closely you can see the Turning Torso in Malmoe ... Across in sweden Between the turbines
The streets & sidewalks were closed off for two days, and power was turned off for all utilities for adjoining buildings & businesses for two days, while assessments were made re stability and possible damage to all. Debris from the roof collapse (including a large, metal enclosure, a cell phone "tower") was removed, the damaged wall and windows of the third floor as well, and attempts to stabilize the remaining parts of have been made.
Now: There is hope that most of the remaining parts of the building can be saved. Mount Airy Downtown, Inc. and the City of Mount Airy met with the North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center and the State Historic Preservation Office who all share our desire to see the Main Oak Building saved.
There is hope...
189/365
Took the photo on the right through an upstairs window in the local museum, catty-corner across the street, where I volunteer.
In Christchurch, New Zealand, it is nearly 2 years since two large earthquakes and many damaged buildings are now piles of rubble. We took a bus tour which goes into the "Red Zone" which is closed to the public for safety. You know it is a serious bus trip when they tell you what to do in an earthquake and then ask if you want to get off the bus before it starts the trip.
Every wonder what a bike seat looks like after a day of having a girl's painted ass and pussy rubbing against it? The result, after the Fremont Solstice Parade nude bike and body painting event.
A corner of the Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey, just before being opened for another Remembrance Day.
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"The armistice has been signed. It was signed at 5 o'clock A.M., Paris time (midnight, New York time), and hostilities will cease at 11 o'clock this morning, Paris time (6 o'clock, New York time).
The terms of the armistice, it was announced, will not be made public until later. Military men here, however, regard it as certain that they include:
Immediate retirement of the German military forces from France, Belgium, and Alsace- Lorraine.
Disarming and demobilization of the German armies.
Occupation by the allied and American forces of such strategic points in Germany as will make impossible a renewal of hostilities.
Delivery of part of the German High Seas Fleet and a certain number of submarines to the allied and American naval forces ..."
Front page image and article on the signing of the Armistice in the New York Times
(last accessed: 14 Oct 2018)
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Official release by the German Government, published in the Kreuz-Zeitung, November 11, 1918.
World War I Primary Document Archive
(last accessed 14 Oct 2018)
Professor David Stevenson explains how the Treaty of Versailles, the Treaties of Saint-Germain and Trianon and the Treaties of Neuilly and Sèvres re-drew Europe's post-war boundaries.
British Library
(last accessed 14 Oct 2018)
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"The morning of November 11 was extremely cold and a white frost covered the Front. (Sergeant Walter) Sweet marched his platoon from the Monmouthshire Regiment to the next village and was billeting them in a barn when the colonel walked in.
‘He wished us good day and looked at his watch. “It is 10am. Men, I am pleased to tell you that in one hour the Armistice comes into force and you will all be able to return to your homes.”
But the news of the imminent German surrender was greeted with silence. ‘We did not cheer,’ Sweet recalled. ‘But just stood, stunned and bewildered.’
He continued: ‘Then, on the stroke of 11am the CO raised his hand and told us that the war was over. That time we cheered, with our tin hats on and our rifles held aloft. For old hands like me, it was funny realising that this day we had waited so long for had come at last.’"
The Soldier's War (Richard van Emden) The Daily Mail
(last accessed: 14 Oct 2018)
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Sights and sounds in Fleet Street, London, on Armistice Day:
"10.27am Newsboys rushed out with the news. People who had first-hand information of the peace armistice having been signed in the past five days said, "I told you so."
10.40am Flags appeared, mainly in hats, and groups started running. Maroons went off and old ladies in the Temple went into cellars.
11.10am Singing. No fares on buses, crowded with sailors, WAACs, soldiers, munitionettes on bonnet and overdeck. Vans and waggons commandeered by girls marching in from East End. Joy-riding everywhere. Smart motors with officers - even a major - and service girls with flags all over and horns honking. Worthington ale waggons rushed. Man puts up his hands and opens cases. Crowd gather round and drink the bottles.
11.30am A sailor patted on back by girls and joins in short round dance, kisses girls, and passes on amid congratulations of friends.
12.00am People in country carts arrive with decorated horses. Joybells everywhere in the churches.
12.30 Whole street full of flags."
Guardian Editorial: The War is Over. The Drama is Played Out.
(last accessed:14 Oct 2018)
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"The people of Germany were outraged (by the Treaty of Versailles) ... Nothing but protest greeted the treaty. Mass demonstration took place against it. Places of amusement closed down and a period of mourning began."
International School, Toulouse
(last accessed: 14 Oct 2018)
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"Millions had died; millions more were crippled or maimed. The young men who had survived this modern Armageddon knew they were lucky, but they had changed – in many cases, beyond all recognition – from the callow boys who had gone to war. Millions of them returned to their homes, families and girlfriends. Most coped well and against all the odds managed to live reasonably happy and contented lives. Yet many found themselves alone in a crowd. No one had really defined the nature of combat fatigue or post-traumatic stress disorder in the 1920s and there was little psychological help available ... "
Australian War Memorial - Hart, Peter, “Armistice 1918”, Wartime 44 (2008) 46 - 49
(last accessed 14 Oct 2018)
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"... demobilisation was a relatively trouble-free process. In November 1918, the British army had numbered almost 3.8 million men. Twelve months later, it had been reduced to slightly less than 900,000 and by 1922 to just over 230,000.
The majority of those who left the armed forces in this period were re-integrated successfully into the British economy. Whereas demobilisation in Germany created a mass of discontented ex-soldiers ready to support extremist paramilitary organisations, ex-servicemen in Britain generally eschewed political radicalism and gravitated towards the British Legion for support and like-minded comradeship. The extensive post-war turmoil that many had anticipated in 1917 never materialised."
(last accessed:14 Oct 2018)
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Returned Servicemen
"On 15 July 1915 the ship Willochra enters Wellington harbour. A large crowd waits anxiously alongside ambulances for on board are the first wounded back from Gallipoli – the first returned soldiers of WWI. One that disembarks that day is Donald Simson who quickly realises the need for an association of returned soldiers and is instrumental in the formation of a number of local associations throughout the country.
Simson calls a national meeting that establishes the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association on 28 April 1916."
Historical Overview of the New Zealand RSA
(unfortunately, this page is no longer available on-line)
"In 1919, a year after the Armistice which ended the terrible carnage of the Great War, a lady was visiting a local Ministry of Pensions Hospital. She asked the matron if, by chance, she still had any wounded servicemen under treatment. 'Six hundred' came the bleak reply. The lady, Miss Marta Cunningham, a famous singer, was horrified and soon discovered that in fact there were many thousands of badly wounded men lying in hospitals up and down the country, bored, lonely and in pain."
On 12th August 1920 Miss Cunningham established The “NOT FORGOTTEN” Association with the object of providing entertainment and recreation for the hopelessly war crippled to alleviate the tedium of their lives and give them something to which they could look forward. By 1927 some 85,000 people had been entertained outside the hospitals."
The history of the Not Forgotten Association
(unfortunately, this page is no longer available on-line)
The Royal British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921 bringing together four National Organisations of ex-Service men (Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers, and the Officers' Association) that had established themselves after the Great War of 1914-1918.
The main purpose of the Legion was straightforward: to care for those who had suffered as a result of service in the Armed Forces in the Great War, whether through their own service or through that of a husband, father or son. The suffering took many forms: the effect of a war wound on a man's ability to earn a living and support his family; or a war widow's struggle to give her children an education."
"By the time of the Legion's formation in 1921, the tradition of an annual Two Minute Silence in memory of the dead had been established. The first ever Poppy Appeal was held that year with the first Poppy Day on 11 November 1921."
The history of the Royal British Legion
(that page is no longer available on-line … the latest address for the RBL is Our History last accessed: 14 Oct 2018)
The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (formerly the British Empire Services League) was founded in 1921 by Field Marshal Earl Haig and General Smuts. The inaugural Conference in Capetown was attended by seven founder members from ex-service associations of the 'Old Commonwealth' countries.
The League's aim, as defined then is to: "ensure that no Commonwealth ex-serviceman or woman is without help if in need." commonwealth veterans
"It is sad that the work of RCEL is necessary. However not all Commonwealth countries on achieving independence chose to recognise the role that so many played in establishing and preserving peace in the World. In all some five million men and women from the Commonwealth volunteered to give up their youth to fight alongside Britain and the Allies. It is for these brave people that we now campaign."
"By the end of World War 1 there were a total of 15 veterans' groups and a number of regimental associations representing former service members in Canada. Despite their common goal - to help returned servicemen in need - their efforts were fragmented and largely unsuccessful. In 1925, an appeal for unity led to the formation of the Dominion Veterans Alliance. The Legion was founded in November of that year in Winnipeg, Manitoba as The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League (BESL). It was incorporated by special Act of Parliament, Charter issued in July 1926.
The principal objectives of the Legion were to provide a strong voice for World War I veterans and advise the government on veterans' issues."
(this page could no longer be accessed)
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"War Graves Passes for the purpose of visiting the graves of the British Forces in France or Belgium issued to near relatives - mother, father, widow, betrothed wife (if still unmarried), daughter, son, sister or brother of the buried soldier.
The pass is available for a period of 10 days from the date chosen by the applicant.
Applicants who wish to stay longer must, or anyone not related as above must apply for a Passport.
In all cases applicants must bear the cost of the journey themselves.
Permit Office
1 Lake Buildings
St James Park.
or through Salvation Army, Church Army, or YMCA"
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Germany
“The Weimar era was a turbulent, energetic, exciting, chaotic, liberating and frightening period in German history…
Four years of war had taken a huge toll on the German population. The massive death toll affected nearly every German family, a large portion of the population suffered from hunger and malnutrition on account of food shortages, and from exhaustion from fourteen-hour days in the munitions factories … In 1916, strikes were already breaking out over wages, hours, and provisions. By 1917, the strikes had taken on a more political edge, and came with demands for an end of the war … Women rioted in marketplaces and in shops … But a combination of repressive tactics and concessions … kept the overall situation in check. Until the autumn of 1918”
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The War's Bill to Humanity by C. A. Lyon
included some estimates (based on Ministry of Pension figures) of the numbers of people still suffering 20 years after the Armistice.
"442,000 are living so maimed, gassed, nerve-racked or otherwise ruined in health that they can not work, or can only work with diminished efficiency, and so are partly or wholly dependent on the State for money to live.
127,000 widows still mourn men they last saw in khaki some day in the years 1914-1918.
224,000 parents and other dependents are still suffering through the loss of sons or relatives who their breadwinners."
Some other statistics:
"8,000 men with one or both legs amputed, 3,000 with one or more arms amputed.
10,000 men whose eyesight has been injured by poison gas, shrapnel, bombs and shells, and of these 2,000 are blind
11,000 who are deafened by bursting bombs and shells and through other causes
100,000 still afflicted with diseases too numerous to be classified
32,000 who still suffer from various wounds
2,200 still suffering from frost-bite
25,000 are still suffering from nervous disorders or are neurasthenics.
3,200, their minds broken by the horrors of war, are still in asylums."
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Assistance for the disabled
I've recently discovered a blog from the Mary Evans Picture Library written by Luci Gosling.
There are lots of intereting topics, and photographs, but these three postings have particular relevance here.
The Human Repair Factory at Roehampton - Rehabilitation of Amputees First World War Blog: Monday, September 30, 2013
Salvation for blinded men - the work of St. Dunstan's Hostel First World War Blog: Thursday, June 20, 2013
Splints made from sugar bags - the pioneering sculptresses of Mulberry Walk First World War Blog: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Note: 18 Oct 2018. The blog still exists but the above links have changed. The site is still worth a visit.
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Caring for the returning soldiers
"For thousands of Australian families, the 1918 Armistice marked the end of the war but signalled the start of many years of caring for their war-damaged soldier. During the 1920s and 1930s wives and mothers nursed ailing ex-servicemen, children learnt to manage the disturbing behaviours of shell-shocked fathers, and households were forced to survive on a meagre pension income. In some instances, relatives spent years visiting veterans in repatriation hospitals, while others witnessed the lingering deaths of those who finally succumbed to their war wounds."
Unsung healers: disabled Anzacs and family caregiving after the First World War (last accessed: 14 Oct 2018)
"Some families cared for their soldier for years, even decades... Other families, however, broke apart under the strain of living with a ‘changed’ man."
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Demobilisation and Women
"Although a few of the women interviewed had the opportunity to stay on after the Armistice, most were laid off - 'they threw us on the slag heap,' as one woman put it, and sometimes saw themselves being replaced by cheaper boy labour. The years that followed were hard times: 'Things were bad after the war, very, very bad. I mean, people of this day and age can't have any conception of what it was like. It was really bad.' They realised there was little they could do about it, although at least one woman was amongst those munitions workers who marched to Parliament to protest. They either went back to the 'women's trades' or became unemployed."
Women's Reactions to Demobilisation
"Dear Sir,
The members of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve) would like to bring before the public the unfair way in which they are being demobilized. They are being given 48 hours' notice, and after that pay and allowances cease. Many of us have served now for four years, and, never having had proper holidays, are unfit to start work again immediately. We are a body of women working for our living, and are not in a position to be dismissed at so short notice."
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Psychological Impact on Veterans
"Symptoms ranged from uncontrollable diarrhoea to unrelenting anxiety. Soldiers who had bayoneted men in the face developed hysterical tics of their own facial muscles. Stomach cramps seized men who knifed their foes in the abdomen. Snipers lost their sight. Terrifying nightmares of being unable to withdraw bayonets from the enemies' bodies persisted long after the slaughter.
Shell Shock during World War One by Professor Joanna Bourke.
(last accessed 14 Oct 2018)
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And ... Almost 100 years Later
2nd Feb 2013: US military struggling to stop suicide epidemic among war veterans
(last accessed 14 Oct 2018)
"Contrary to widely held assumptions, it is not the fear and the terror that service members endure in the battlefield that inflicts most psychological damage ... but feelings of shame and guilt related to the moral injuries they suffer. Top of the list of such injuries, by a long shot, is when one of their own people is killed."
"I have heard it over and over again from marines – the most common source of anguish for them was failing to protect their 'brothers'. The significance of that is unfathomable, it's comparable to the feelings I've heard from parents who have lost a child."
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