Friday, November 11, 2011

A Special Day



November 11 was chosen for Veterans Day because Germany signed the Armistice ending the first world war on November 11, 1918.

This flag is made from Nike sneakers.  It is at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, half an hour up U.S. Route 91 from Hartford.

My boss for 11 years retires today, 11-11-11, at 11:11 a.m.  Congratulations, Mike.  Well done!  And, thank you for the opportunities.

19 comments:

cieldequimper said...

Today is Armistice Day in France, I think it's the second time it is celebrated without any survivors of WWI, which is sort of strange. It always reminds me that my 2 German great-grandfathers and one of my French great-grandfathers never made it back from the trenches. Three out of four, not bad, huh?

Today 11/11 just provided a much needed and welcomed lie-in after a harrassing week at work!

11/11 at 11.11 is the beginning of carnival in Germany, sorry, couldn't resist that!

I bet a lot of babies will be forced into life today 11/11/11.

Enough, sorry about all that: love both your shots, the second one is brilliant. And happy retirement to Mike!

Kate said...

A memorable date and time for a retirement; I just remember the year of mine.

The day does not seem as memorable anymore...so sad. I recall Armistice Day as a young person as a day when we sold and wore red poppies with a significant pause at 11 am in the classroom when we stood and paused to remember all the soldiers. Doesn't happen anymore; haven't seen a red poppy in decades.

Luis Gomez said...

Very nice post Jack!

Lowell said...

That is one sneaky flag.

Hope you have a great day today!

Birdman said...

... a time to pause and reflect.

Sharon said...

I love little coincidences and while I am admiring your photo of the Nike sneaker flag, I am sitting in front of my computer wearing my yellow sweatshirt from The Basketball Hall of Fame. When I was working in St. Louis in the late 90's, a friend and I flew to Hartford, rented a car and drove to Vermont & Maine to see some fall colors. On the drive back to Hartford we stopped at the Basketball Hall of Fame where I purchased this sweatshirt that I still wear today. I never though about how old this shirt is. Wow, it's lasted very well.

Unknown said...

Surely a day to remember, although just 21 years later another war started (as if the first one was not enough!). The Nike flag is amazing!

Cezar and Léia said...

So beautiful post and homage !
hugs
Léia

sheila lynch said...

very nice post, as was your previous post also. World War 1 was supposed to be "the war to end all wars", if only!

RedPat said...

Cool flag! There are many, many people here wearing poppies and most businesses stopped at 11 am for a moment of silence.

VP said...

The numbers about your boss are quite strange and so the fascinating and unusual sneaker-flag.

Dianne said...

Wow! Jack - a Nike sneaker flag - I will have to say I like it!
I'm sure you will never forget the date your boss retired.
Hoping you have an enjoyable and safe weekend.

Halcyon said...

Of course they don't celebrate armistice day here in Germany. But it's the beginning of carnival season and people are pretty excited about that. I like that Nije flag. Creative!

Sylvia K said...

It is one of those "special" days and a great one for retirement. Terrific sneaker flag from Nike!! You don't see many of those!! Hope you have a great weekend, Jack!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Thank you for remembering Veteran's Day... they all deserve our recognition for their duty, valor and sacrifice.

Louis la Vache said...

A fine photo at the top of this post.
Your boss timed that one, didn't he!
;-D

Randy said...

Nice display of shoes!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Don't know what to make of the mix of commercialization and the act of rememberance. But do admire the cleverness and artistry in creating the Nike flag.

SRQ said...

Always love to see the Stars & Stripes! So, at 11:11 a.m. did Mike just saunter out the door? Such a specific time! Perhaps someone will be inspired next year to retire on 12-12 at 12:12 p.m.