quote:
In Flanders FieldsIn Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce 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.- John McCrae
Go here for Last Post:
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-tributes/00-cat-index-tributes.htm
It's a strange experience to have your guide keep saying that everything you see (including the 16th-century cathedral in Ypres--in fact, the entire city) is less than 80 years old.
The Final Inspection Dedicated to all that served........
The soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?
The soldier squared his shoulders and
said, No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough;
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help;
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much;
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly
For the judgment of his God.
Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets;
You've done your time in Hell.
author unknown
http://guelpharts.ca/mccraehouse/faqs.php
quote:
I've been to those fields
I visited Red Beach at Palo on the island of Leyte, in the Philippines. It was strange to think of all that happened where I was standing.
Nothing is left of the destruction today. Kinda odd.
Ronnie
I forgot to mention. Red Beach is where MacArthur "returned."
But isn't rememberance day the end of WWI?
-Monolith-
All schools and workplaces, tv and radio, observe a minute silence in Australia on November 11 at 11am.
I'm from a long line of soldiers. PTSD is a bit of a family tradition in our house.
In Japan they have their equivalent on August 15, but its surrounded by controversy as any act of rememberance by the Japanese is criticized by the Koreans and Chinese as "stirring up violent nationalist Japanese militantism."
Ronnie
Even though there weren't many soldiers in my recent geneology, my family is mobilizing a bit these days. And of course there is the work on weapons systems and so forth. Hmmm....