Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Some years ago my wife and I flew in to Newcastle Airport in the northeast of England to reunite with family. As we all walked through the airport concourse a very strange thing happened. Everyone came to a complete stop and just stood there like statues. It was so surreal until my wife reminded me that it was Remembrance Day, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month—Armistice Day. The concourse came to a complete standstill for almost two minutes, truly an experience that will never be forgotten.

Fast forward to the present day and last Thursday, Remembrance Day 2010. I happened to pull into a parking lot while listening to music by Respighi on the car radio. At the conclusion it was followed immediately by the clarion call of a solo trumpet playing "Reveille" after which a choir sang J.B. Dykes’ lovely hymn, "Eternal Father, strong to save"; to paraphrase, "For those in peril on land air and sea." Then th...