Homage to the Last Doughboy

It's no secret to those who know me that I am a HUGE history nerd, and I really don't see that as a bad thing. This is a story that I think deserves much more attention than it is getting:

The Greatest Generation...I'd like to think most of us know who they are...Gen Y, in case you were unaware, they are most likely your grandparents. Almost as sad as my generation's dissonance, is not much is mentioned about the Lost Generation, the kids who came of age during, and consequently fought, in World War I. On Sunday, February 28, 2010, Frank Buckles passed away at 110 years old. Mr. Buckles was the last remaining US WWI survivor.
(above: Frank Buckles, 110. Photo credit: cnn.com)

This means that there are only TWO WWI veterans left...did you catch that? Just TWO. Interestingly, one of whom is a woman, Florence Green, who joined the British Royal Air Force at 17 years old in September of 1918 (by the way she celebrated her 110th birthday on February 19th). The other, Claude Choules, 109 (March 3, 1901), who is now the only veteran left to have served in both World Wars. Think on this: these are the only two people left in the world who can provide a first hand account of experiences in WWI. Visit Order of the First World War for more information.

Next up...

The Last American Doughboy:

President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917 after the publication of the Zimmerman Note, as well as Germany's continuance of unrestricted submarine warfare. That summer, Frank Buckles age 16...lied about his age and enlisted with the Marine Corps, joining the 4 million Americans who would soon be fighting in Europe. Much to his disappointment, Buckles didn't see much combat as he was assigned as an escort, and later was appointed to ambulance driver (he was in good company; Walt Disney and Ray Kroc (founder of McDonalds) were also ambulance drivers).
(right: Frank Buckles. Photo: credit:pershingslastpatriot.com/frank/)


After WWI, Buckles continued his service during WWII, as a ship's officer on merchant ships. He was captured by the Japanese and held captive for over three years.

Buckles became an advocate for the memorial of WWI and its veterans, and considered it his personal responsibility to make Washington listen. According to CNN, renovations to the dilapidated WWI memorial began last fall, though Buckles was unable to attend to oversee the improvements.

As it should be, Frank Buckles will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, and then some. U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, has proposed for a memorial in the U.S Capitol in which Buckles' casket will be displayed with honors.

I think Secretary Robert Gates put it best,

"The First World War is not well understood or remembered in the United States. There is no big memorial on the National Mall. Hollywood has not turned its gaze in this direction for decades. Yet few events have so markedly shaped the world we live in." (via cnn.com)

Time is fleeting, as is history. It is strange to me that the passing of our last WWI veteran has been merely a blip on the media radar...but Charlie Sheen's debauchery is front page news. Backwards no?

Click here to learn more about Frank Buckles on the website dedicated to his memory.

Go to cnn.com to read the full article on America's last veteran.

Sweet Talkin' Ken Woos Barbie Back

Love it or hate it, I think this is one of the more brilliant advertising/marketing campaigns ideas...hats off to Mattel.

FYI...Ken and Barbie called it quits back in 2004. To be more exact, Barbie left Ken for Blaine...the surfer from Australia...ending their 53 years together. To many, this was much more devastating than any Brad and Jen could ever be.
(above: Barbie and Sweet Talkin' Ken, www.barbieandken.com)

Let's face it, Barbie just isn't "cool" anymore. It doesn't really shock me, have you been down the Barbie aisles over the last few years? However, if feel that Barbie is cyclical in nature (sort of like frozen yogurt). She'll be back...newly formed body and all.

This campaign was marking Ken's 50th Birthday (who knew Barbie was a bit of a cougar?), and the epicenter of it all is barbieandken.com. Here fans could vote on whether Barbie should "take Ken back" or not, complete with a Love-O-Meter for measuring purposes...supporters of the famous duo had until Valentine's Day 2011 to make up Barbie's mind.

The results are in and....

BARBIE AND KEN ARE BACK ON!

From what I can tell this is a pretty good example of a campaign that uses social marketing tactics, as it spread across Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter, Youtube, and even Hulu (a kitchy show called Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend was produced and available on hulu.com). I've got a feeling the target market was us, the kids who grew up in (one of) Barbie's prime decades...though I doubt any of us are going to rush out to the stores and swoop up the new Sweet Talkin Ken, who, by the way, Mattel describes as "the ultimate boyfriend for every occasion, he says whatever you want him to say!" Hmmm...coincidence that Ken wants Barbie back right as he is relaunched as Rico Suave?

Social Savant:

Barbie's YouTube Channel: Ken and Match.com



Barbie and Ken's Facebook:
Barbie posts about numerous sightings of Ken...a la billboards around Los Angeles and his moniker strategically placed at well known eateries. Seeing Ken's face all over the place while at home in December was quite strange.

The romance has continued, see all of the plastic romantical happenings here

When talking about social media campaigns I think this one would be and example of what to do. Dear Mattel...may I work for you?

Below the Muffin Top Belt

I really hate to give Rush Limbaugh any sort of mention or attention, but I seriously just can't believe this "man".

The radio host recently took some pot shots at the First Lady's weight and physique, which was started by her chowing down on some ribs while on vacation...BLASPHEMY!! Limbaugh went on to say that Michelle Obama is a hypocrite because of her platform/campaign, "Let's Move". (right, CNN)

"Let's Move" was launched by the First Lady to help solve the problem of childhood obesity now, so that children will grow up healthier and be able to achieve their goals (not to mention relieve some strain from the medical care fiasco). Whether you chose to acknowledge it or not, Americans are fat, and its turned into a rather viscous cycle. Obese parents lead to obese children, who grow into obese adults who then produce and raise obese children...don't get me started on the sustainability (more so lack there of) factor involved here.

Reading Limbaugh's remarks on CNN nothing short of enraged me. To give some context, here is part of the what Limbaugh said:

"The problem is, and dare I say this, it doesn't look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice...And then we hear that she's out eating ribs at 1,500 calories a serving with 141 grams of fat per serving."

"She is a hypocrite, Leaders are supposed to be leaders. If we are supposed to go out and eat nothing, if we are supposed to eat roots, berries, and tree bark, show us how."

Here is what I find to be absolutely infuriating and only promulgates poor body images for girls/women:

"I'm trying to say that our first lady does not project the image of women that you might see on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue or of a woman Alex Rodriguez might date every six months or what have you,"

Seriously? THAT is the image of women? Looks like I've got some major work to do.

I don't see the political gain in making fun of a woman's weight, especially that of a woman with arms that should be the envy of many. Love her or hate her, for whatever reason, this is completely deplorable...though not shocking coming from Limbaugh. These malevolent outbursts come on the coat tails of another conservative outlet making a ridiculous cartoon about MObama and her dietary "indiscretions" (left; biggovernment.com). CNN also has article that discusses the cartoon in further detail. Sarah Palin also recently gave it to Obama and her "crusade against desserts" on her Sarah Palin's I'm Stuck in Alaska...why are people so dense? It's embarrassing. We are a fat nation, diabetes is running wild in children and adults...you should check out how much money a year the US (tax payers) pays for the treatment of people with diabetes.

I have heard some pretty nasty things said about the First Lady, many that don't make much sense at all. Not going to lie, I like her and I think she is a great role model. She has already championed taking care of military families, and I think the "Let's Move" campaign is right up there with Nancy Reagan's war on drugs...or any other valiant effort a First Lady has picked up. I'm sure she will take these asinine comments and turn it into opportunity to teach kids, specifically young girls, about body image and healthy eating habits.

Redefining "Something Borrowed"

There has been a lull in the engagements, but I'm sure a monsoon is about to sweep in...and freak us other college women out once again.

There is nothing wrong with getting engaged so young (if you are ready), it's just not for me. I'm thinking this is a geographical thing, nearly none of my California peops are engaged...nor are they close (not a bad thing!), but in my first semester as a Pi Phi at Creighton we had a Ring Pass once every few chapter meetings...as if moving from California to Nebraska wasn't enough of a culture shock on its own! Now I am down in the South...Texas South to be more exact...and I've learned all about the MRS degree seekers and the fact that at 23 I am quickly approaching, if not already, an old maid. Let's not even get me going on this Army aspect of my life, that just stresses me out! Lucky for me, Alex has chosen a path that will let me drag my feet for a few more years!

So, I've established...this kid is not ready to get married. That being said, I still sit with my roommates (or my mother) and watch the marathons of Say Yes to the Dress, which generally leads to deep discussion on what is ugly, what is fabulous, and what "I" want. This is particularly fun to do with my mom...as every time we go to NorthPark (best shopping in the world for you non DFWers) we MUST go visit Oscar...of the de la Renta persuasion. There are always beautiful (the word doesn't do them justice) dresses in the windows...and always a wedding gown...of which my mother proclaims "this must be your dress"...momentarily forgetting that she is wielding the check book. Here is one thing I know about my wedding...the dress I want will not be in my budget. However, my mom proposed what I think to be a novel idea...others may think I am slightly unhinged.

Renting!!! Why not? Guys get to rent their tuxes...why can't we do the same? Not going to lie, at first I thought this was insane...I want to keep my dress! What if my daughter wants to wear it?! Valid. But reality check: ok first, I must produce a female heir(s), and second why on earth would she want to wear my dress...how many of you girls want to wear your mom's dress? I mean no offense to our mothers, but the late 70's and early 80's are so not in fashion...our potential daughters will probably think the same thing of our selections. I'm just saying I'd much rather rent my designer gown for a few hundred dollars (many shops tailor and clean it for you) than have to sell a kidney to get a dress the dress I want...and will wear once. ONCE! If you rent, you return the dress, get your deposit back, and they clean it. I realize that I'm going to get hauled all across this country, and I really don't want to have to schlep a bulky gown around with me. But what will my keepsake be? Answer: my veil. That will be my own, a veil would definitely have a better chance of being worn by a potential girl-child. In fact, I may wear my grandmother's after getting it retooled...who knows!

I realize this isn't for everyone, and there is significance in your wedding dress. Maybe it's my (extra) acquired skepticism from all my marketing and advertising classes...but I believe the significance is in the wedding and the experience, not in what you wear. Hopefully by the time I am ready to start this epic shopping journey, more rental option will be around. It seems to be slowly catching on. $800 vs $20,000? To me there isn't much of a question...and what to do with all that saved cheese? Christian Louboutin...here I come. One for each day of the week (and then some). Though I'm sure my mother would much rather me say something about a down payment on a house. Mom if you read this....we can share :)

Oscar, Vera, Monique...you all may be insight after all.

Rather than making this post longer than it already is, here is an interesting article that my mom showed me from the New York Times talking about "borrowing" your wedding dress. Let the persuasive argument begin!.