Remembrance Day..

[harvey19]

May those who have died.

Those who have been injured.

Those whose lives have been changed serving their monarch and country be remembered today by all and not just by those personally affected.

It is not only the soldiers whom we should remember but the wives, families and sweethearts whose lives were changed forever and, for many the pain is still ongoing.

[janie48]

'Lest We Forget'.

[ALAN 58]

" We will Remember them"

[petemcewan]

Anthem For Doomed Youth

BY WILFRED OWEN

 

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

— Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

 

What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

[harvey19]

Only 4 posters on this Remembrance Day thread.

More interest shown in arguing about the colour of poppies.

[smithy266]

What really impressed me yesterday morning at the Classic Car Show at the NEC .... at 11.00am, the sound of Big Ben rang out, and the very busy Exhibition Centre suddenly went quiet, and all movement stopped. It was almost eerie, and after one whole minute, a voice simply said "Thank You". That thanks was, of course, meant for all those present who honoured the silence. It was also for those countless thousands, who all those years ago made it possible for us to be able to have such freedom these days.

[ANGELFIRE1]

So sad

When you go home tell them of us and say: "for your tomorrow we gave our today."

Such a powerful poem ...

 

 

Please buy a Poppy, the lady said,

And held one out, but I shook my head.

I stopped and watched her standing there,

Her face was old and lined with wear,

`Beneath the scars, the years had made,

Remained a smile that did not fade.

A boy came whistling down the street

Bouncing along on carefree feet.

His smile was full of joy and fun,

“Lady” said he, can I have one.

She pinned it on and he turned to say

Why do we wear a Poppy today?

The lady smiled without a flaw,

“For all the boys who died in war.

Because they did, we are free

So we wear this Poppy, you see.”

I had a boy about your size

With golden hair and big blue eyes,

He loved to play and jump and shout

Free as a bird, he would race about.

The years went by, he learnt and grew,

As, in time, you will too!

When war broke out, he went away,

All I could do was wait and pray.

His letters told of the awful fight,

Which, I can see, in dreams at night.

Tanks and bombs and cruel barbed wire,

Bullets and mines, screams and fire.

The fields were gone, the land all bare,

Yet seedlings spouted from their lair.

The Poppy grew and flowered red,

And breathed sweet perfume upon the dead.

The soldiers saw this sight with awe

Which gave them strength to fight the war.

Until at last, the war was won,

“That’s why we wear a Poppy, son ".

“The small boy turned as if to go,

Thanks Lady", I’m so glad to know,

That sure did sound an awful fight

Was your son safe, and so alright.

She shook her head but didn't speak

A tear rolled down each faded cheek,

I slunk away, so full of shame,

If you were me, you”d do the same.

Our thanks in giving is oft delayed,

Our freedom bought and thousands paid.

So when you see a Poppy worn,

Reflect upon the burden borne.

By those who gave their very all

When asked to answer, Country's call.

So buy a Poppy for all who died,

And show it clearly with great pride.

 

Author Unknown To Me.

 

Angel1,

[Robin-H]

 

 

Please buy a Poppy, the lady said,

And held one out, but I shook my head...

 

 

Author Unknown To Me.

 

Angel1,

 

The poem was apparently written by Don Crawford.

 

'Don Crawford turned this poem, handwritten in pencil and on two sheets of foolscap, in to The Perth Courier one morning in the early 1960’s, in which it was printed a few days later. Since then, “Why Wear a Poppy?” has appeared in a multitude of weekly newspapers and magazines, including Legion Magazine in Canada, and foreign publications like Australia’s Anzac Appeal and Scotland’s Claymore magazine. Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion has produced the poem on slides and tape for television and radio. And schools have used “Why Wear a Poppy?” extensively for their Remembrance Day programmes. Donald J. Crawford died in hospital at Perth, Ontario, on October 7, 2000'

 

https://pastorfergus.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/why-wear-a-poppy-by-don-crawford-2/

[hauxwell]

Just watched The Royal British Legion Festival of Rememberance on BBC,

what a lot of brave people there was, from the First World War up to present day conflicts. How very very sad when you hear of all the suffering.

[Anna B]

The poem was apparently written by Don Crawford.

 

'Don Crawford turned this poem, handwritten in pencil and on two sheets of foolscap, in to The Perth Courier one morning in the early 1960’s, in which it was printed a few days later. Since then, “Why Wear a Poppy?” has appeared in a multitude of weekly newspapers and magazines, including Legion Magazine in Canada, and foreign publications like Australia’s Anzac Appeal and Scotland’s Claymore magazine. Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion has produced the poem on slides and tape for television and radio. And schools have used “Why Wear a Poppy?” extensively for their Remembrance Day programmes. Donald J. Crawford died in hospital at Perth, Ontario, on October 7, 2000'

 

https://pastorfergus.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/why-wear-a-poppy-by-don-crawford-2/

 

I've never read or seen it before, but it moved me to tears.

 

Thankyou