At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month

We remember them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jdECwQDyBc
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
<img src ="http://sanfranciscoba.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/poppy2.jpg">

 

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Just reading that made the hairs stand on the back of my neck, cheers kev

 

can't read that without hearing a trumpet in my head , very moving

 

Bugle mate. You're right though, I hear last post being played in my head when I read this. Very poignant.

 

oops embarrasing flush type thing,sure if they are stuck for a bugle a trumpet would do though !! :0)

 

True. I have seen / heard the trumpet used (not in the Army) and it was ok but it didn't carry the same emotion. Maybe it's just a military thing.

 

Just back from a lovely service and memorial. The Last Post nearly breaks me everytime.

 

Where did you go?

 

Kboro St Johns then up to the war memorial in the castle yard.

 

Nice one, sounds good. Did you go with your lass?

 

Yes. Liam carried a wreath for scouts.

 

Kev, just enjoyed a few days in Normandy with my wife and our two boys. Last Thursday we visited the US cemetery at Omaha Beach. It was our first our first trip there and my wife and I found it a very emotional and powerful experience. It is quite ironic that such a beautiful and serene place, a bluff overlooking Omaha beach and the English Channel, is the honorable final resting place for more 9000 brave young souls. For our boys aged 8 and 5 respectively, it clearly had an impact as they were noticeably quiet and reflective. We visited the museum first and watch the two short films recounting some individual stories, final letters and family responses. I was choked by both of them. How could I not be when I was looking at photos of a woman and two children on screen and a husband and father who never came home, and I was able still hug and kiss mine when the film was over! To my fellow BBSers, if you have the opportunity to visit, I can say that you must visit.

 

I was hoping

To be on an archaeological dig next year in the World War I battlefields of Northern France, helping to identify remains and, hopefully, ensuring the deceased receive a decent burial, bringing closure and some comfort to their families & descendants. Unfortunately, cut backs at the university looks like those plans are postponed for the time being.

 

Thought I'd let you all know that it is also Remembrance Day in Canada today. The vast majority of people are wearing poppies and it is a national holiday tomorrow (as it is every year on/around November 11th). I attended ceremonies at my kids' schools this week and they were both beautifully done, the Last Post was played and a veteran from the war in Afghanistan was in attendance at each. Very poignant.