Harry Potter is dead oddly enough. Yes apparently before J.K. Rowling was born Harry Potter was already dead and laying in a grave in Isreal.
Private Harry Potter, then a member of the Royal Worcester Regiment was apparently killed in fighting in the West-Bank Town of Hebron in 1938 while Palistine was still an English colony at age 19.
In the past several years fans have been arriving at his grave daily to pay their respects. In an attempt to cash in on the macabre fame generated by having a dead Englishman with the same name as a famous boy wizard Jerusalem is launching a historical investigation into the teen’s death and will include the grave on a the official tourist guide.
What does that say about one’s legacy? A young English boy signs up to serve his country, gives the ultimate sacrifice in a dusty town thousands of miles away from his home and is forgotten about for more then 60 years. Then an English novelist makes his name the most popular name in the world and suddenly people care about him again. It doesn’t seem right. It doesn’t seem respectful.
To live a brave, and short life and then only way you are remembered is by sharing the same name of a boy wizard seems like such a tragedy. History is a forgotten tome to most people. Last week I heard someone refer to Sept. 11 as a sneak attack by Saddam Husine. I’ve seen papers by junior high students who refer to “The War Against Pearl Harbor.” Two years ago I did some “Jay Walking” on the 4th of July and asked people what we were celebrating and out of the 20 people I questioned only three knew that it was the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
As a society we are completely ignorant of history and to suddenly care about someone just because of their name is reducing history to the intellect of Tara Reid and Paris Hilton.
Thank you Harry Potter for serving your country. The only shame is your dedication only became apparent after your name became famous.
Article comments
1 - Angela Chen Shui
Oh, dear!
Another chance for everyone to know just how brave he was?? Even though it's late... and not really because of what he did?
He's probably moved on, though... may be one of the visitors wondering why he's so triggered looking at his 'previous' epitaph..
or he may be completely addicted to Harry's books and experimenting and trying to find his own magic school?
;-)
2 - DrPat
I had a dog once named Winston Churchill. Nobody comes from England to visit his grave, though...
3 - Aaman
I had a dog called Archie - he was a bachelor all his life
4 - The Theory
Dr- But did people visit Churchill's grave because they met your dog??
5 - Nick Jones
"As a society we are completely ignorant of history and to suddenly care about someone just because of their name is reducing history to the intellect of Tara Reid and Paris Hilton."
What Gore Vidal refers to as "The United States of Amnesia".
6 - DrPat
The- I don't know, but it's possible someone went to England to visit Churchill's tomb after meeting my Winnie. He was a super dog! [grin]
Really, the inanity is in people who travel to visit a grave ONLY because of the name on the tombstone.
It reminds me of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; in truth, time passes and all soldiers (and nocombatants, children, dogs...) are forgotten.
7 - reggie
-raises eyebrow-