"I do wonder how hard it would be to just ask everyone at moments like that to observe a minute of silence & contemplation and ask for help & guidance from whatever source they feel is appropriate." Bill D

The day that FDR died, our principal at school announced it at lunchtime and asked us to stand and observe three minutes of silence. I don't know how the others felt but to the 9-year-old kid that I was it was awesome.

"Patton was eager to get going the moment the Germans surrendered and "kick their asses all the way back to Moscow". ;-) Well, that was a little too abrupt for the powers that be. He really was a loose cannon. They sacked him." Little Hawk

I realize that you are a student of WWII but are you sure that it is Patton you speak of? It does'nt fit what I know of his career.