Whoever thought "old soldiers never die

should read the article "Old Soldiers, Fading Away at a Grim Pace" in today's (5/29) New York Times online edition. The OzWiz recently wrote that the number 1056 was the daily rate of passing, now that number is more like 1150 and will peak much higher in about four years.

That article refutes the motion picture version of cemetery burials. At one National Cemetery burials are timed so that there are two each quarter hour and mourners aren't allowed too close less they interfere with the schedule. Graves are pre-dug, deep enough to hold two caskets up and down. Almost as if you have to have an appointment. "You can't die, you'll mess up our burial schedule."

This week-end many of those living WW2 veterans who are able are attending the dedication ceremonies of the National WW2 Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC. Media coverage is, as it should be, wall to Mall.

Of interest to us WW2 vets where photos of the ongoing ceremonies are posted along with words to live by.

As a subscriber to the Songbirds website their posting 5848, message 6 "Fighting Music of World War Two" is certain to bring back memories of all the great music, bands and singers/performers of that era. Lengthy & well worth reading.

FOLLOW UP: The OzWiz's posting of yesterday (May 28th) was about the release this morning of the commemorative stamp for the WW2 Memorial and how to create an unique sourvenir for the veteran(s) in your life. What I did neglect to write is that there are two additional methods of obtaining these covers, one of which cannot be personalized so I will not write about it, however the other is by far the best way to create your souvenir cover and, upon further review, is the way I will choose to do so as well.

This from the official USPS site for official First Day of Issue covers. "Collectors (persons) are encouraged to purchase their own stamps and affix them to envelopes. Envelopes should be addressed for return and placed in a larger envelope addressed using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS & NO PUNCTUATION, except the hyphen in the ZIP+4 code, and be sent to National World War II Memorial Commemorative Stamp, Postmaster, WWII First Day of Issue, 900 Brentwood Road N.E. Washington, DC 20066-9998.

Requests for first-day cancels must be postmarked by June 28, 2004."

Use size 6 3/4 envelopes, rag content and either addressed lightly in pencil (your return address) or use PEELABLE address labels for best results. Once the cover(s) is returned to you create your own message on the left side of envelope opposite the stamp and the OFFICIAL First Day of Issue Postmark. It is now ready for presentation to the WW2 vet(s) of your choice.

No old time vets in your family? Make and donate one or more to the local American Legion, VFW or DAV posts in your town or area. An excellent choice is to a veteran who is in a nearby Veterans Hospital.

and speaking of old timers, my sources tell me that TODAY is the 100th birthday of Horace "Saxie" Dowell, the composer of the great hit of our era, "Three Little Fishies." Saxie, those little fishies are still swimming over the dam.

We're all going to join them one day.