Armistice Day - November 11, 1918.

Armistice Day; November 11, 1918 - November 11, 2008.
I was born on the first Armistice Day. This day in 1918 was so named, because the peace treaty, ending World War I, was signed in France at 11:00 A.M. (6:00 in Hillsdale, Michigan.) I was born 20 minutes later. There are only 10 surviving veterans from that war- “to end all wars” - two live in the United States! My, and my Mother’s claim to fame, is that we survived the terrible flu epidemic that plagued the world during 1918. I only wish that I had talked to her about the epidemic.
“Epidemic” is certainly the descriptive word. According to the National Archives, “World War I claimed an estimated 16 million lives. The influenza epidemic that swept the world in 1918 killed an estimated 50 million people. One fifth of the world’s population was attacked by this deadly virus. Within months, it had killed more people than any other illness in recorded history. The plague emerged in two phases. In late spring of 1918, the first phase, known as the “three -day fever”, appeared without warning. Few deaths were reported. Victims recovered after a few days. When the disease surfaced again that fall, it was more severe…… Some victims died within hours of their first symptoms. Others succumbed after a few days; their lungs filled with fluid and they suffocated to death. The flu afflicted over 25 percent of the U.S. population. In one year, the average life expectancy in the United States dropped by 12 years.!”
I celebrated my 90th birthday, on Sunday, November 9, 2008, at the Café’ in Paradise Valley, along with my wife of nearly 64 years - Marie - and 37 family and friends. It was a very nice occasion - one that I will always remember (How long? Only the “Good Lord” knows - and He hasn’t shared His secret with me.) I feel blessed to reach 90 years - especially when I consider that my “life expectancy” at birth, was only 36.6 years.
It was “warming” to see, and chat, with everyone. Some of the folks I hadn’t seen in a long time (seven months since our move from Vallejo to Fairfield!) Three of our daughters, and their husbands, were there, along with eight of our grandkids, and all five of our great-grandkids. There were 39 people, in all, attending.