Today's photo was taken last month on Remembrance Day and the veteran's name is Peter Eastick. During World War II, he was on a troop ship in the North Atlantic when it was hit by four torpedoes from German Uboats. The vessel went down in two minutes flat and he was one of only 21 men who managed to get into a lifeboat. It was his 18th birthday. It took rescuers seventeen days to find them and when they did, only nine were still breathing.
So...whenever I catch myself ready to whinge about some trivial thing like not getting tickets to the concert I wanted to attend or my neighbour's barking dog, I just think about Mr. Eastick or someone like him and the complaint never leaves my lips. Works like a charm.
Leica M3, 50mm Summicron, Ilford XP2-Super
4 comments:
That's a great expression you've captured here and it's a helluva story. This happened around the time I was born. The men of my father's generation were real men and damn proud of it.
Ok Snap I needed that talkin to. I am through whining about having to come home from Paris. Your portrait today makes me want to stand up and salute. It's just wonderful. thank you for sharing it with us and Mr. Eastick, I would love to give you a big ole hug!
V
I had an uncle who died at sea in that war. What a horrible fate that would be. My brother is named after him.
I feel the same way; there are so many elders here who've lived thro all war, recession & repression, social problems, etc - you hardly EVER hear them complain. And they're usually a little embarrassed on Remembrance Day when they're being homoured.
I had 3 uncles who all survived the Finnish-Russian War in 1939-40. Didn't consider themselves heroes: they just "did what they had to do".
Make's you downright humble.
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