The Tomb of The Unknowns: Research Questions

1. What will happen if all the unknown soldiers are identified and there are no longer any unknown soldiers?

2. Who had the power to pick each soldier at the tomb?

3. How was the WWI soldier picked to be placed under the sarcophagus? 

Above are my research questions for part 1. 

Things Fall Apart

Like the majority of our class I have read Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe. Here is a review of the book.

Status of Women

At the beginning of World War I, women status gradually evolved into a dramatic change by the end of the war. Because the men were gone at battle for the war, many women had to take full responsibility of not only domestic affairs, but also labor and work. Due to this, women began to feel more independent and socially equal compared to the men of society. Although there were many similarities between women status in World War I and World War II, World War II provided more opportunities and privileges for the women to have an actual impact on the war itself. Women gained the rights to work with planes, including flying, building, and operating. Over a thousand women served in the U.S. Air Force in the WASP, however, they did not gain full recognition for their military service until the seventies. World War I and World War II both provided a greater range of women occupations and rights, but by the time World War II arrived, people became more comfortable with the idea of women being treated with greater equality.

NBC Video

I think NBC decided to air this piece on the atomic bomb so it never happens again! It was a reminder to people how devastating the effects were. Not only did thousands of people die but also the after effects of the radiation exposure have lasted a lifetime. People are concerned about the genetic impact it might have on generations to come. The good news is the United States has decreased spending on atomic weapons and we have reduced our arsenal of atomic weapons by one third. There are still those who believe the atomic bomb was the right choice against the Japanese while others completely disagree with what the United States did during WWII. At the time Japan surrendered the truth is no one really knew what the atomic bomb had done to the people of Japan. They were all celebrating that the Japanese had surrendered. This video reminds us how WWII still impacts people today and that the memory of WWII is obviously different for each person in the world. For example those who live in Japan still feel fear when a plane flies overhead while some Americans still feel we did the right thing by dropping the atomic bomb and ending the war.

Grandpa Poppy

My grandfather, Poppy, was involved in World War II, during 1939-1945. He belonged to the Air Core and worked on planes. The most well known plane he worked on was the Enola Gay, which was well known because it carried the first atomic bomb, which was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Although my grandfather passed, interviewing my grandmother, I found out that he joined the war by choice because he wanted to support his country like every other man. Today I discovered that when I went to D.C. in eighth grade, I actually was able to see the Enola Gay that my grandfather took part in building.

Father-Daughter Appeasement

I have tired to appease my father with the hope it would prevent continual tension in my decision not to walk with him. I hate walking, especially with my father. What sixteen-year-old daughter wants to walk with her father? After sixteen years of being his daughter I have learned the more I give into his demand to walk the more willing he is to let me do what I want with my free time. Sadly this strategy doesn’t always work. For example, my dad has this thing about wanting to walk with me on the weekends. Whenever I know I want to do something on that particular weekend and he asks me to walk instead of saying no and arguing, I go. Usually arguing makes him angry and then he uses that against me and tells me I can’t go out. I find it easier to say yes with out any complaining. I thought by doing this it would work to my advantage. Actually it did at first it worked like magic until my dad figured it out and started using it to his advantage. For instance he will say if you walk with me today I "might" let you go out, might being the key word. After walking with him and trying to be pleasant I am excitedly thinking, "Yes I am going out" tonight. But no I will ask him and he will flat out say no. This makes me mad and then we get into an argument. This causes tension between me and my dad and a fight I was trying to avoid. Over time I have learned appeasing someone isn't always the most effective way to get what you want. The other person has to be willing to go along and want to ease the tension as well. Appeasement is not like a signed contract; it is based on good faith that both parties will give into each other’s demands. With appeasement there is no guarantee.

Father-Daughter Appeasement

The most memorable experience i have had with appeasement is with my father, Dominick. After being his daughter for 16 years i have learned that the more i give the more willing he is to let me do what i want but sadly that doesn't always work. For example, my dad has this thing about always wanting to walk with me, so whenever i know i want to do something on a weekend and he asks me to walk with him instead of saying no and arguing i say yes thinking that it will benefit be in the end. It did the first couple times. It was the magic charm and worked all the time but now my dad has figured it out and is using it to his advantage. He will tell me if i walk with him i "might" be able to go out, might being the key word. After walking with him and being the pleasant daughter i always am, i am excited cause i am thinking "yes i am going out" but no. Ill ask him and he will flat out say no. So over time i have learned appeasement isn't always the most effective way to get what you want because its to much in the air. Their is no signed agreement and there is for sure no grantee the other person will do what you think or wanted them to do.

Insane or Not?

I read an article in the New York Times titled Insane or Just Evil? A Psychiatrist Takes a New Look at Hitler. There have been many historians who have thought Hitler was “mad” because they cannot or do not want to believe that a sane person could commit such evil acts. Although Hitler had many physical ailments and even some psychogenic complaints he did not suffer from anything so severe that it could be used to excuse his crimes. Dr Redlich, a retired professor of psychiatry at both Yale University and the University of California at Los Angeles researched Hitler for years to disprove this theory that he was insane. Redlich concluded that even though Hitler exhibited many psychiatric symptoms, “he most likely was not truly mentally ill.” He believed Hitler “knew what he was doing and he choose to do it with pride and enthusiasm.” I agree with Dr Redlich. I believe Hitler was sane. The reason he committed these horrific crimes may never be known.

Equal Rights?

What is fascism? When I first heard this word I asked myself the same question. The dictionary definition of fascism is a single organization or group repression of opposition and extreme nationalism. It is also any movement, or tendency that favors a dictatorial government like Benito Mussolini practiced in Italy between 1922 and 1943.When I think of fascism I relate it to events that occurred during the 1900’s and not to today’s events. I never made the connection with fascism and the 21st century, until I read the article in Upfront called “The Price of Going to Class.” After reading this article I was shocked at how some people view women and education, especially the Taliban. The Taliban believe that a woman’s place is at home taking care of her family and bearing children, not getting an education. I don’t understand why an educated woman is a bad thing, while it’s the “norm” for a man. Women are entitled to have the same rights as men but in Afghanistan this is not that case. I find this disturbing because women and young girls are not living a life they choose. I am saddened by the thought that women like Inez Milholland, fought so hard for women’s rights and we have not made real progress for women worldwide. How is it possible that some women today are not allowed an education? Every young girl in America has the opportunity to go to school and be educated. We take education for granted. We feel entitled to it and why shouldn’t we? However we must remember that not all women have the same rights as we enjoy in this country. The girls in Afghanistan would do anything to go to school and stop the Taliban from banning their education. When I finished reading the article “The Price of Going to Class” the first word that came to mind was fascism. I believe the Taliban is a fascist group in the true sense of the word. They may not hold all the power quite yet but they are on their way to gaining complete control. It is frightening how fascist groups seem to succeed in gaining control even when their intentions are bad like Adolph Hitler. Even though what he did was horrible he remained in power and was able to convince people to join him and his fellow Nazi members.