It's getting close to the 11th November; Armistice Day in 1918.
Here in England we donate to the British Legion to support War Veterans and in return receive a paper Poppy to wear proudly on our lapels. I'm wearing one now.
A few thoughts.
John McCrae wrote:
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.
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.
In 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, Britain took on incredible challenges to defend liberty. We did not stand alone.
Thousands of Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Indians and others (Apologies for those I don't name) stood by us and laid down their lives. Without this support, we would probably have failed.
To all those nations who offered the ultimate support (the courage and lives of their sons and daughters) and on bhalf of me and my offspring. Thank You.
Since then there have been other conflicts. Yemen, Korea, the Falklands, Iraq etc etc.
Regardless of the rights and wrongs, we are surrounded by heroes and their wives, widows and children. The British Legion provides them with support, advice and guidance which is funded by the Poppy Appeal.
And to any Jingoistic Brits who want to spout the (false) belief that we could have done it alone and decry USA's involvment, allow me to share a surprise I encountered this week.
The Poppy Appeal is very precious to those of us who understand the sacrifices made, and often believe it to be a singularly British thing.
Well aside from the 'Poppies' poem being written by a Canadian, I now know the following:
Quote:
An American War Secretary, Moina Michael, inspired by John McCrae's poem, began selling Poppies to friends to raise money for the ex-Service community. And so the tradition began.
So once again, to our ancestors who paid the ultimate price, to their families and their countries.
Thank You
Finally:
Laurence Binyon wrote:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
If you're British, or simply want to provide support those whose loved ones gave their lives, or to those who are paying the price for walking up to the lince, you can donate here.
If you don't feel able or willing to donate, hit the 'back button' and move on.
