Remembrance/red poppy day

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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:12 am

Time for our Remembrance Day avatars

Quote:

Remembrance Day (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom), also known as Poppy Day (Malta and South Africa), Veterans Day (United States), and Armistice Day (France, New Zealand, and many other Commonwealth countries; and the original name of the day internationally) is a day to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in World War I, World War II, and other wars. It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918. The observance is specifically dedicated to members of the armed forces who were killed during war, and was created by King George V on 7 November 1919 (possibly upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917)

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:03 am

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:16 am

Thanking all Vet's for their service. Salute.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:38 am

I wrote this as a tribute to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. It was originally dedicated to my three brothers who have served in the military.

Quote:

Because you went�
I didn�t have to.

Because you were willing to serve your country
and risk your life�
I didn�t have to.

World War I, World War II, Korea,
Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq�
whenever our nation was threatened,
you were willing to do what was necessary
to protect our freedom.
Your sacrifices made it possible for me
to live in peace and safety.
Because you went�
I didn�t have to.

Like so many others, I never had the opportunity
to serve my country.
Too young or too old, a full time student,
a single parent, a sole provider.
For whatever reason, I couldn�t sacrifice several years of my life.
But, because you went�
I didn�t have to.

Perhaps you knew the danger�
but you went anyhow.
Perhaps you didn�t know the danger�
and you went anyhow.
You went, and you served proudly.
And, because you went�
I didn�t have to.

Maybe you saw actual combat�
hiding in the trenches under live fire.
Maybe you served as support, miles from the front.
Maybe you never left your home state�training, waiting, ready.
Whatever position you served in, you went,
knowing that the risk was always there.
And, because you went�
I didn�t have to.

Most of you came home safely after your tour of duty,
to the loving arms of your friends and family.
Many of you came home wounded or injured�
scars that you will carry for the rest of your life.
Some of you never came home�
you made the ultimate sacrifice for your country.

Because you went�
I didn�t have to.

Because you were willing to risk your life, to protect the lives of others�
I didn�t have to.
Because you were willing, if necessary, to make the ultimate sacrifice�
I didn�t have to.

There are not enough words to express my thanks and gratitude to you.
I can only say�

Because you went�
I didn�t have to.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:42 am

Very beautiful and very touching Crash.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:43 am

<----

Laurence Binyon wrote:

For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

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.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:44 pm

Thanks to everyone who has fought and especially those that died, so that I can enjoy things I do.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:27 pm

@Crash -- Great poem. Thanks for sharing.

To all the veterans out there -- Thanks!

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:13 pm

5 members of our HM forces attended an early rememberence day ceremony in Tobruk, Libya today to honour the dead in the WW2 campaign to knock out the fuel dumps there in order to halt Rommel's Afrika Korps.

I'll be off to my local ceremony on Sunday too.

My thoughts to those who have fallen from any nation and in any conflict... rest in peace.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:46 pm

This is where I get confused, because my family have fought in the British Army and against it.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:17 pm

I was taught from a very young age that my grandfather died a war hero, saving the lives of others. For a few days I'll keep a serious avatar in his memory, and of those that gave their lives to keep their country safe.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:52 pm

My grandfather went off to war a fit young man and came back a mental wreck after being dive bombed for days at the battle of Narvik. He never really recovered and died far too soon.
One day I'll type up his diaries as they make interesting reading.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:55 pm

I love soldiers! Cool

*** BANNED *** Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 2021

^^^^

To all that have served, are still serving and especially serving eater members

Baiting Guru Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 12237

Thanks to all of you who have served.

A special nod to the boys of the 187th Inf Reg, 101st Abn Div ASSLT.

My old unit, and our crest is my avatar.

http://www.rakkasan.net/

Edit: Great poem Crash. I will add this one as well as it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:04 am

Hekate wrote:

This is where I get confused, because my family have fought in the British Army and against it.

Why would this confuse you?

Remembrance day is to remember all commonwealth soldiers, sailors and airmen, and other countries' servicemen who have lost their lives in any conflict. It is not something solely to do with the British Army.

Go out and honour your relatives, jock or not. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:27 am

methinks I need to log on more often, nearly missed it

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:27 pm

My grandfather died in a Kamikaze attack in WW2, my grandmother was pregnant with my dad at the time so he never met his real father. never found out about it until much later in his life when someone finally told him his dad was his stepdad.

I have paused to reflect but it took me 2 weeks to get this avatar so I have not changed it

Off to learn photoshop from 12 year old tomorrow

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:36 pm

My grandfather was with the Royal Signals in WW2 hence my avatar, he was one of the lucky ones who made it home but I'm certainly thinking of all those who didn't.

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

'FOR YOUR TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY'

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:45 pm

'LEST WE FORGET'

'WE WILL REMEMBER THEM'

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Thank you.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:24 pm

Thank you to all vets from any country/branch of service.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:39 pm

Just saying thank you never seems to be enough or fitting. But, a big thank you to everyone who has served and to their friends and families who supported them. And thank you to everyone who is currently serving all of our respective countries.

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