Followers

Sunday 11 November 2007

Remembrance .....

From The Royal British Legion website....


The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is a unique expression of national homage devoted to the remembrance of those who have given their lives in war. It was originally conceived as a commemoration of the war dead of the First World War but after the Second World War the scope of the ceremony was extended to focus on the nation's dead of both World Wars, and in 1980 it was widened once again to extend the remembrance to all who have suffered and died in conflict in the service of their country and all those who mourn them.


Lest We Forget



In Flanders field 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 with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


~Major John McCrae, May 1915.~

19 comments:

Queenie said...

I cry everytime, I find it so sad.

CG said...

A beautiful post, thank you x

Mark said...

Hi Akelamalu,
Good to see plenty of posts on this today.Good number of people at the service by us, whole age range but sadly only certain parts of society.

Cheers Mark

Mother of Invention said...

I love this poem, written by a fellow Canadian, whose house Im used to walk by daily when I went to the University of Guelph, Ontario.

My dad, 88, flew a Lancaster Bomber and was stationed in England. he wrote a fabulous poem which I posted today, alongwith pics of his aircrew and him as a young pilot. He is wearing his uniform and medals today in church.
I'm so proud of him.

(I visted White Hall in '71 when I stayed at my friend's uncle's who was Lord Geoff Hayworth, who was crippled in the war. Not sure where he was buried but I know he had a lot to do with White Hall.)

Anonymous said...

that poem has a sad but hopeful feel... nice blog, akelamalu! your grandson harry is so cute, too! :)

Akelamalu said...

Me too Queenie :(

You're welcome cg. x

Yes it is good to see people posting and remembering Mark though I wish there were more.

I didn't realise the John McCrae was a Canadian MOI, it is a very moving poem. I'll be over shortly to read your Dad's poem, you must be so proud of him.

Welcome aCey I'm glad you like my blog, I hope you'll call by again. :)

buffalodick said...

I've always tried to imagine what it would have been like to have your shores attacked throughout history- like Great Britan was. The bombing in WWII of your cities, towns, your very homes is hard for Americans to grasp. May we always honor the memory of the people who kept us free....

Akelamalu said...

I'm too young to remember the war Buffalo but my Dad's tales of those times terrify me. The British people were very stoic throughout and I am proud to be a member of this great nation.

Today we are remembering all servicemen of all nationalities who gave their lives.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Yes, Akelamalu, John McCrae is one of the most famous Canadians ever. I'm quite certain every Canadian child learns to recite this poem at school. But no matter how many times I read it or hear it, the poem only gains the power to move me even more. My favourite lines have always been:
'We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow'
There's another part of my heart that always loves this line:
'Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high'
I'm always proud of that fighting spirit. Even as I look to see an olive branch clutched in my own fingers.

Akelamalu said...

It is a very moving poem Julia without doubt. x

Akelamalu said...

kmf thank you and thanks for visiting. :)

Linda said...

What a lovely tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the rest of us living in freedom.

I hope that none of us ever forget these brave men and women - ever.

Akelamalu said...

We certainly owe them a debt of gratitude Linda.

KellytheCulinarian said...

Thanks for remembering -- I went out the the Vietnam Vets wall today and there was a million people there for the holiday. I always cry there, but it was rather moving today.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! :)

Many thanks to all who serve and continue to do so.

Elaine Denning said...

It's such a lovely verse. Brings tears to my eyes.

Akelamalu said...

Thanks for stopping by Kelly. Today is a very moving day all over the world. x

My sentiments too Crazy Working Mom

Mine too MissU :(

Ooh thankyou Mimi I'll be right over. x

Heather said...

Such talent born of grief.

Akelamalu said...

Quite Heather.