With the approach of the 91st anniversary of the Armistice ending the First World War, a date which has evolved into what we now mark as Veterans' Day, I thought I'd post an interesting photo that was recently sent to me. The noted American photographers Arthur S. Mole and John D. Thomas took a series of "living photographs" during the war which were used to help drum up support for the war effort. This particular shot was taken in the summer of 1918, at Camp Dodge, Iowa (now the headquarters post of the Iowa National Guard).

It's an amazing photo, and to think of the logistics involved in making it happen (especially in a pre-computer age)...that makes it all even more amazing. Some of the stats:

Base to Shoulder: 150 feet
Right Arm: 340 feet
Widest part of arm holding torch: 12 1/2 feet
Right thumb: 35 feet
Thickest part of body: 29 feet
Left hand length: 30 feet
Face: 60 feet
Nose: 21 feet
Longest spike of head piece: 70 feet
Torch and flame combined: 980 feet
Number of men in flame of torch: 12,000
Number of men in torch: 2,800
Number of men in right arm: 1,200
Number of men in body, head and balance of figure only: 2,000

Total men: 18,000

At the time the photo was taken, the Allied Expeditionary Force numbered between 1 to 2 million Soldiers in France (250,000 in March '18, 1M in July, 2M by 11 Nov in 29 divisions).  18,000 troopers for a photo pales in comparison to the millions of brave souls who journeyed "Over There," many of course never to return.

As Veterans' Day approaches next week, let's remember the service and sacrifice of multiple generations of Soldiers (and vets of the other branches) who have served, and continue to serve, our great country.