For those who served, past present and future, thank you. (and flander's fields)

[CdnFox]

Title says it all. For those who gave up their lives in the past, for those who suffered incredible hardship and lived with fear and violence wondering if they would ever see their loved ones again in order to ensure that we had a chance to build a life that we believed in I could be proud of. my most heartfelt thanks for your sacrifice.  And for those who served and stood ready to give up their lives for the same reasons, and those who will as they answer the call in the future, thank you for your commitment. 

Least we forget. 

 

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.

[Legato]

35 minutes ago, CdnFox said:

Title says it all. For those who gave up their lives in the past, for those who suffered incredible hardship and lived with fear and violence wondering if they would ever see their loved ones again in order to ensure that we had a chance to build a life that we believed in I could be proud of. my most heartfelt thanks for your sacrifice.  And for those who served and stood ready to give up their lives for the same reasons, and those who will as they answer the call in the future, thank you for your commitment. 

Least we forget. 

 

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.

Just got back from our local cenotaph. Weather -2C and windy.

Surprisingly larger attendance than last year, lots of young people.

[CdnFox]

5 hours ago, Legato said:

Just got back from our local cenotaph. Weather -2C and windy.

Surprisingly larger attendance than last year, lots of young people.

Crowd turnout was actually pretty good where I usually go. Mind you it's a pretty nice day today and more like plus 10 which helps

[Army Guy]

9 hours ago, CdnFox said:

Title says it all. For those who gave up their lives in the past, for those who suffered incredible hardship and lived with fear and violence wondering if they would ever see their loved ones again in order to ensure that we had a chance to build a life that we believed in I could be proud of. my most heartfelt thanks for your sacrifice.  And for those who served and stood ready to give up their lives for the same reasons, and those who will as they answer the call in the future, thank you for your commitment. 

Least we forget. 

 

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.

Just want to say thank you for the tribute, it means a lot on this day. And thank you for all that went out and attended a ceremony...It does make this day go a little easier... 

Edited November 12, 2025 by Army Guy

[Army Guy]

To all the Canadian vets  and the ones down south, may fortune find you and yours, may your pain be turned to joy . I hope you spent this day with friends and family laughing mostly about those good times spent with comrades, and to shed a tear for those we lost. I raise a pint of beer to you all...We will not forget them ever...Pro Patria.

[SpankyMcFarland]

Wilfred Owen was killed at the front seven days before the Armistice. He had returned to active service after suffering concussion and PTSD. His poems unsparingly describe the horrors of war. I think we have to remember that aspect too if we are to appreciate the sacrifice that has been made and may have to be again: 

 

Anthem for Doomed Youth

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, –
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing down of blinds.

 

 

Edited November 25, 2025 by SpankyMcFarland