Waiting on the nectar that sustains all life. I’m not sure why it is taking so long, but to investigate, a fork is put into play to remove the inspection hatch plate. All seems normal until it appears the start button has not been pushed. This demonstrates the need for the glorious liquid before doing anything important.
Once started, the coffee is delivered post haste. The first sip suggests that a little time travel might be welcome this morning. The clock is set for October 4th, 1924. The location is Washington, D.C., and the duration is an hour. The plunger pulled finds us in President’s Park, south of State Place Northwest, between 17th Street Northwest and West Executive Avenue Northwest.
Monument in 2008
We are here at the dedication of the First Division Monument. The Monument commemorates those who died while serving in the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War I and subsequent wars. We arrive in time to hear Calvin Coolidge’s comments, which include dedication and speaking out against the Geneva Protocol, which would mandate all countries to seek arbitration of disputes in a world court.
The Monument inscribes 5,516 names of fallen heroes from WWI and over 7,000 additional names from subsequent wars. As Calvin wraps up his comments, our alarm goes off, and we land softly on the sofa. A text from Linda Hill comes in and reads:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “fork.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
To see what others have done with the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/10/04/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-5-2024/
Fork by John W. Howell © 2024
“A lovely monument.”
“Yes, it is. Sad that it is necessary, though.”
“Yeah, I agree. That Geneva Protocol sounded like a good idea.”
“It did require countries to give up their ability to formulate their own response to aggression by another. It also allowed countries not signing up to do as they please. Long story short, no one was buying the concept.”
“I noticed you did October 4th when this is the 5th.”
“October 4th in 1924 was a Saturday, so I thought I would keep it the same day.”
“You really plan this stuff out well.”
“Sometimes, I reach a fork in the road. To the right is too much information. To the left, not enough. I have to choose the best course.”
“Yeah, I think the best course is the cocktail hour. Even beats the appetizer.”
“Okay, I get it. Did you call Uber?”
“Yup, they are here.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“I love that. So secure. We could even have a VooDoo Ranger on the way to the pub. We should stop on the way and get some.”
“Maybe we could pick up a couple of bags of money too.”
“Let’s not be talking felonies here.”
“I’m just sayin'”
“Just get in and mind your own business. Speaking of money, it looks like that’s what we have to sit on.”
“I’m game.”
“Just keep your hands to yourself.”
“Yes, boss.”
Fiction Favorites 
I’ve seen that monument, John but I was always on my way to some stupid meeting. Now I know what it is. Thanks.
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The names keep growing , Sadly.
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This piece reminds me of the Yogi Berra quote . . when you get to the fork in the road, take it!
As for the Brinks truck, I’m in. Let’s face it, how many times in your life do you get to drive around in an armored car? And if the answer is anything other than zero, you’ve worked for them.
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Ha ha ha. So true. I think it would be fun for a few minutes. Wouldn’t want to be one of those guys though. Thanks, Pilgrim.
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No I wouldn’t either.
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😊
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I think the protocol was a good idea because countries don’t always have humanity as a priority. We could use Russia as an example today, Germany and Japan of yesteryear.
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The idea is good but can you imagine Putin going along with a judge’s ruling to withdraw from the Ukraine.
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You got me there.
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I think the feeling was that we could pretty damn well do what we wanted and by hooking up with some kind of court situation we would lose power.
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It’s good to see that monument dedicated to the 1st Infantry, John. Serving in the 1st Infantry in Vietnam was quite the experience for me. Riding to and from the pub in a Brink’s armored truck would be amazing.
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That monument also is to honor those who served as you did. Yes an armored truck would be a fun thing. Thanks, Tim
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That’s a great monument that doesn’t seem to get the love so many others do. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Every time I see one of those trucks, I never see armed guards. Weird.
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I would feel very safe on my way to the pub, unless someone thought there was money inside! Lovely monument, but why must we have all these wars that require monuments?
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Ingenious response to the prompt, John. I’ve not seen this monument, but I’m grateful it exits. We all need to reflect on the personal cost of war. And, BTW, I love your Uber. 🌞
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I agree we need to reflect on on the personal cost of war. I just learned Tim Dittmar served in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry. It’s nice to be able to appreciate his service on a personal level. I would lie a ride in that armored truck. Thanks, Gwen.
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Hmm, Brinks must not pay its drivers very well if they have to moonlight with Uber.
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Good point. 😳
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Thanks!
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😊
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It’s a beautiful monument.
Years ago Big Baby Boy worked as an Armored Car driver, runner, and vault manager for Loomis to give himself more money while in College and Grad school.
When he first took the job I said, ” Remember it’s just paper, and metal, and NOT YOURS”!! He said it was good advice.
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When I saw the prompt, I was immediately thinking about food.
Maybe there are too many forks on my road that I try to block out. 🙂
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Take the right fork. It is usually the safest.
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This post is great on so many effective levels, John. All around terrific. Hugs.
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Aw. Thank you, Teagan. I’m so pleased you liked it.
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A lovely monument even if it commemorates the ultimate sacrifice the infantry gave. It still irks me that Coolidge didn’t support the protocol. Makes you wonder sometimes what goes through some of these politicians’ minds, doesn’t it? Happy Saturday, John. Enjoy that ride while sitting on a pile of dough.
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Yeah to give up sovereignty is a big deal.
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What a fun time travel today. The monument is a great reminder of the sacrifices so many have made. Who knows what might have changed in history if Coolidge had supported the Geneva Protocol. We’ll never know. Fun Uber ride…”keep your hands to yourself.” Not sure I could. 🙂
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Yes there are a lot of temptations in an armored truck I ‘ll bet. Hey look at those gold bars. Thanks, Jan.
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I will try to remember that!
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Yes, sage advice from an old one.
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fun time travel and a wonderful monument to celebrate such sad times… 30 years later it would have been my parents 70th had they not divorced.. and they celebrate it.. 🥺😂💗
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That is amazing. I never celebrated my two ex’s anniversaries.
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I’ve been to Washington DC many times but somehow I’ve missed this monument. It seems like a wonderful monument celebrating sacrifices made at a dark moment in history.
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It is not one of the most well known so it can be missed.
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Thank you John for information upon the monument.. It is good that these brave soldiers are honoured, but still so sad, that so many have to die..
Thank you John.. xx
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I agree, Sue. There is nothing gained by war.
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Hahaha..Brinks, fork over the money!
It is sad that war monuments exist. I’ve always been taken by the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
I’ve only seen it in clips, but we did recreate it for a movie I did called The Wall – 3 Vietnam War stories. It was a most moving project to work on.
🪙💸 🪙💸 🪙💸 🪙💸
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It is one place where it is very hard not to shed tears. I’ll bet you were moved. 🎖X
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I’m not sure which one I like better, the monument or the Uber.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John! 😀
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😊
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Hi John, sitting on money sounds like a comfortable ride. WW1 was a horror of death and destruction.
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