THE WAR TO END ALL WARS

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World War I. Popularly referred to at the time and immediately thereafter as the war to end all wars. Turned out to be poor judgment. Mentally reference all the wars since 1918.

To honor those who fought in World War I, President Woodrow Wilson decreed that November 11 would henceforth be celebrated as Armistice Day.

The name Armistice Day derives from November 11, 1918. On that day, the Allies and Germany signed a document known as the Armistice which as a practical matter ended World War I. Fighting ceased on day.

Subsequent Presidents and Congress decided that Armistice Day should include all veterans. Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day to reflect the change.

A  proper recognition. However, there is some sort of joke involved in the thought that World War I was the war to end all wars. Man will never be war free. It is part of his psyche to seek out/participate in war. War is intrinsic in man’s nature.

Key West will enjoy its Veterans Day Parade this afternoon. The parade route will run opposite to that of Fantasy Fest. The parade will start at the southernmost end of Duval and end at Front Street.

More significant than the parade will be the groundbreaking at Bayview Park for a Vietnam Memorial. Well deserved. Late in coming in most communities.

I remember the Vietnam war. I was practising law. Married and the father of four. The war was not a popular one. Many protests against the war. When those who fought returned home, they were greeted not with cheers but jeers. Some spit upon.

The Vietnam vets never received the glory they had earned. Time heals all wounds, however. In recent years, our country has recognized its wrongs in this regard. The people of the United States now go out of their way to acknowledge and honor these veterans who were dishonored.

The power boat races ended yesterday. It was dark and gloomy. Threatening rain. Actually did rain in Key Haven. Poured. I decided to skip the races and do something else.

The something else turned out to be a late afternoon lunch at No Name Pub. Always a good time. As anticipated, the place was packed. Rain seems to attract a larger than usual crowd to the Pub.

Enjoy your day!

FOREVER FAMOUS

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I went to Smathers Beach yesterday morning. Not to sun or swim. To attend the plaque dedication in Diana Nyad’s honor. A good sized crowd present.

Last year, Diana swam from Cuba to Key West. Without the aid of a shark cage! The swim itself a  first ever feat. She did it at age 64. Another feat.

A plaque was dedicated honoring her and the event. In addition to the plaque, Diana was made an honorary Conch. A bigger tribute than the plaque!

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me for a fast moving interesting half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Nine my time.

Topics tonight include the question why the U.S. bombed Somalia over the weekend instead of Syria, a police officer who believed he did not have to follow the Constitution in making arrests because he claimed Obama was not following it, personal data of thousands of Homeland Security personnel hacked, an exploration of whether the U.S. is becoming a third world country, U.S. Tripoli abandoned embassy pool being used by jihadist militants for fun and pleasure, Monsanto and American justice, Russia/China gas line construction  begins, Berlin trying to build one church to house 3 religions: Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Plus more.

It was mid sunday afternoon yesterday. What to do? Decided to take Robert and Ally to No Name Pub for a late lunch. They love the place! They were not home. At the beach.

Decided to go alone. I had visions of a Philly cheese steak sandwich. They make the best!

It was the car top down and my baseball cap on backwards.

I enjoyed the sandwich. Sat at the bar. Chatted with people around me. A typical Florida Keys time in a back woods bar.

Bad sleeping night! My back started up again. Could not get comfortable. Caused me to place too much strain on the injured shoulder when I turned.

Enjoy your day!

BABYSAT BY DAY / BILLY AND CINDY SCHOTT BY NIGHT

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My internet show tomorrow morning at 10. Ten my time. World wide. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. www.konkbroadcasting.com.

Join me.

In addition to topics set forth yesterday, I am going to chat a bit once more about Sharia law. There have been some recent interesting revelations. Some time will also be dedicated to a discussion of puppy mills and the Amish and Mennonite involvement with them.

An interesting show. Miss it not!

Babysat all day yesterday.

Robert, Ally and I drove to No Name Pub for lunch. We destroyed ourselves. Robert and Ally enjoyed foods their mother Lisa keeps away from them. It is a grandfather’s responsibility to provide such pleasures.

No Name Pub is an interesting place. it is located in the woods no where. Hard to find. Always packed. No Name Pub also has a distinctive history. In the 1930s, a brothel operated on the second floor.

After lunch, we were off to Boondocks for miniature golf. Robert and Ally played. I refereed and offered suggestions. They played equally well. They ended in a tie. Robert and Ally enjoyed the competition.

Some how Robert won a free ice cone. We had two. One for each. I tried both. Tastey and refreshing.

Then to my house for swimming. Lisa arrived later to pick them up.

I took a quick half hour power nap. Needed it.

I was scheduled to have dinner with Billy and Cindy Schoot last night. Met them at the Chart Room. Sheila was there. With family and friends from Indiana. Talked a bit with them.

Dinner was at Hot Tin Roof. A long leisurely dinner. Great conversation. Many laughs.

Yesterday was National Tequilla Day. I ordered Patron Silver shots for the table. It was that kind of evening.

Have to hustle. I have a ten o’clock hair appointment.

Enjoy your day!

NO NAME PUB / NO NAME KEY

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Sunday in Key West!

Did something different yesterday.

The sun  was shining. Finally. It was early afternoon. I put the top down on the convertible. Threw a baseball cap on backwards. Off I went!

My goal was No Name Pub. Some 30 miles away.

The convertible, the wind, the sun…..the best.

I arrived. Not many people. The off season. Sat at the bar.

The bar is high. The bar stools correspondingly high. Hard to get on and off. I did not fall, however. Ho ho.

I enjoyed a Philly cheese sandwich. I think they are the best at No Name Pub. Grandson Robert agrees with me. We have made a study.

No Name Pub is an interesting place. It appears to have formerly been a small two story home. Before and during World War II,  a whore house. Now a restaurant.

Afterwards,  decided to visit No Name Key. No Name Pub is not located on No Name Key. It is about a half mile further down the road. Over a long bridge. The Pub is located on Big Pine Key.

Seems confusing. It is not. Once you understand.

No Name Key’s claim to fame is that it has no electric power. No utility lines of any kind. This is roughing it. At least from my perspective. The people living on No Name Key have propane generators, solar panels, and I assume candles. They like it that way. The State of Florida is trying to compel the residents to get electric power. The residents do not want it. There is a new lawsuit pending by the residents to bar electric power from coming to their island.

No Name Key is a desolate place. The homes are not close together. Though the homes are visible to each other. Some large homes, small small ones. All weather beaten. It appears no one paints. Most run down.

All of the preceding adds to that strange feeling one experiences when they visit No Name Key. To me it as a cemetery grown up.

One has to go out of his way to get to No Name Key. Once there, he cannot wait to leave!

There is something lovely and beautiful on No Name Key. Little deer. No more than two feet high. The young ones even smaller.

I was driving through late in the afternoon. The deer were c coming out of the woods. There were literally hundreds on and around the roads. Traveling in packs. Gave no concern to my car. It was their home, their place. I was the one who had to be careful.

The drive home was a delight. The top still down. My head this morning has a large burn spot on the upper forehead where the hat failed to cover.

It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy your day!