Lest We Forget

[Peru1936]

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.

- Lieutenant Colonel Dr. John McCrae


http://www.deepblue.uk.net/images/content/uknature/dl_poppy.jpg
A poppy, symbol of remembrance for those who lost their lives in combat.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/2145354882_94287b07fa.jpg
The National War Memorial, Ottawa.

http://www.pentictontoday.com/pictures/814200963453P.jpg
1st Battalion of the Royal Rifles of Canada and their mascot, a purebred Newfoundland dog, Gander. Gander saved a group of soldiers from the 1st Battalion from a Japanese grenade that landed near the group. Gander rushed to the grenade and, picking it up in his mouth, ran away with it where it wouldn't harm the group. The grenade killed Gander. He was awarded the Dicken Medal for his final act of bravery.

http://media.canada.com/ec39df83-fe4a-4b86-8cf9-8fbd0bc59e03/unknown.soldier.jpg
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Ottawa

[IndyWolf15]

I pray for all the familys who have lost there love ones on this day, and may we remember our soldiers killed and the wounded at Fort Hood Texas. God Bless our troops!

[Jack Nelligan]

God bless them all!

[Stoo]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/2145354882_94287b07fa.jpg
The National War Memorial, Ottawa.This is a very touching photo of one of my favourite war memorials. The snowfall adds to its sadness.

Lest we forget...

P.S. Peru, were you aware that Paul Gross recently made a movie about Passchendaele? Among other battles, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment fought there (which I'm sure you know.)

[Peru1936]

This is a very touching photo of one of my favourite war memorials. The snowfall adds to its sadness.

Lest we forget...

P.S. Peru, were you aware that Paul Gross recently made a movie about Passchendaele? Among other battles, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment fought there (which I'm sure you know.)

Yes, it's a very sombre photo. The snow provides a sense of Canadiana.

No, I wasn't aware that Gross had made a film about the Battle of Passchendaele. Thanks for letting me know. I'll check it out and let you know what I think.

The Newfoundland Regiment (they weren't bestowed with the "Royal" until 1917) suffered so badly at the Battle of Beaumont Hamel that other battles that the regiment participated in, like Passchendaele, are chaptered second in Newfoundland war history. Of the nearly 800 men of the NR who were commanded over the top at 8:45am on July 1st, 1916, only 68 answered the roll call the next morning. Although the NR suffered a 90% casualty rate, within two weeks the regiment was back on the front lines.

The Gallipoli Campaign is also a storied and tragic battle as well, and the NR was the only regiment from North America to fight in that campaign.

This is the memorial at the battlefield at Beaumont Hamel. It was erected by Great Britain and France in honour of the Newfoundlanders who died at the battle.

http://www.ww1-ww2-commemorations.com/images/caribo.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/3b/e0/33/beaumont-hamel-memorial.jpg

[Goonie]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/doleted/Holidays/VeteransWeekRemembranceDay2.png

Thank you Veterans; to those who have fought, made the ultimate sacrifice, and to those soldiers that are continuing to serve.

Lest we forget.

If you can, attend a Remembrance Day ceremony today. I'm heading out in a few minutes to attend one.

[Stoo]

This is the memorial at the battlefield at Beaumont Hamel. It was erected by Great Britain and France in honour of the Newfoundlanders who died at the battle.

http://www.ww1-ww2-commemorations.com/images/caribo.jpgGood G_d, that is gorgeous. Enough to make one weep...(Thanks for the extra info on the NR, Peru.)

My girlfriend was in England recently and she brought me back a UK poppy. It's more elaborate from the Canadian one (which I knew) but have never had one before. On the stem, there's even a tiny branch that is hidden underneath the bottom petal.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_af2tMq2AjDc/SQz_oHU9FDI/AAAAAAAAA2I/PV3sk-X6K28/s400/Royal_British_Legion%27s_Paper_Poppy_-_white_background.jpg

Which brings me to these long-time-burning questions: How common/uncommon is it to wear poppies in the States on Rememberance/Veterans Day? Seeing as McCrae was a Canadian, is his poem read aloud at ceremonies/schools on this day? Is there an American version of the poppy?
If you can, attend a Remembrance Day ceremony today. I'm heading out in a few minutes to attend one.Hi, Goonie.:hat: I will be there in spirit because it's past 11:00am over here and it's not celebrated (although I did watch the London ceremony on TV this past weekend).

[Goonie]

Which brings me to these long-time-burning questions: How common/uncommon is it to wear poppies in the States on Rememberance/Veterans Day? Seeing as McCrae was a Canadian, is his poem read aloud at ceremonies/schools on this day? Is there an American version of the poppy?
Hi, Goonie.:hat: I will be there in spirit because it's past 11:00am over here and it's not celebrated (although I did watch the London ceremony on TV this past weekend).

Hey Stoo, reading the various Remembrance Day articles on the CBC and CTV websites over the last few days, I found out that the wearing of a poppy was actually started by an American woman. I'll try and find the article - it's interesting. A year later after she started it, the tradition began in Britain (I think this was in 1921).

I just got back about 10 minutes ago from Lions Park, where one of our local centophs are and one of our local ceremonies are held. The vets made some improvements to the park with lamp posts, benches and other amenities. It was a good ceremony with a big turn out of people; probably the most I've seen.

[Peru1936]

Good G_d, that is gorgeous. Enough to make one weep...(Thanks for the extra info on the NR, Peru.)

You're welcome, man.


I tried to find a video of Lightfoot's original, but to no avail. Here's an excellent cover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVN7o6KUcdI&feature=related

Sit Down Young Stranger

I'm standing at the doorway,
My head bowed in my hands,
Not knowing where to sit
Not knowing where I stand.
My father looms above me,
For him there is no rest;
My mother's arms enfold me
And hold me to her breast.
They say you been out wandering,
They say you travelled far.
Sit down young stranger
And tell us who you are.

The room has all gone misty,
My thoughts are all in spin;
Sit down young stranger
And tell us where you been.

Well I've been up to the mountain,
I've walked down by the sea;
I never questioned no one
And no one questioned me.
My love was given freely
And oftimes was returned;
I never came to borrow,
I only came to learn.

Sometimes it did get lonely
But it taught me how to cry,
And laughter came too easy
For life to pass me by.
I never had a dollar
That I didn't earn with pride
'Cause I had a million daydreams
To keep me satisfied.

And will you gather daydreams,
Or will you gather wealth?
How can you find your fortune
When you cannot find yourself?
My mother's eyes grow misty,
There's a trembling in her hand.
Sit down young stranger,
I do not understand.

And will you try and tell us
You been too long at school,
That knowledge is not needed,
That power does not rule?
That war is not the answer,
That young men should not die?
Sit down young stranger,
I wait for your reply

The answer is not easy
For souls are not reborn;
To wear the crown of peace
You must wear the crown of thorns.
If Jesus had a reason
I'm sure he would not tell;
They treated him so badly
How could he wish them well?

The parlor now is empty,
There's nothing left to say.
My father has departed,
My mother's gone to pray.
There's rockets in the meadows
And ships out on the sea;
The answer's in the forest
Carved upon a tree.

John loves Mary,
Does anyone love me?

- Gordon Lightfoot

[AlivePoet]

Truly, amazing poetry, and lest we forget...

But I'm sure you're aware, Peru, that Nov. 11 holds a different significance in South Korea... and I received many a package of choco from my students for the occasion. 빼빼로 day indeed. :p

Okay, so I bought my dear Korean friend a gift box of them...but she hearts them so!

[Peru1936]

Truly, amazing poetry, and lest we forget...

But I'm sure you're aware, Peru, that Nov. 11 holds a different significance in South Korea... and I received many a package of choco from my students for the occasion. 빼빼로 day indeed. :p

Okay, so I bought my dear Korean friend a gift box of them...but she hearts them so!

sigh... Yes, the contrived corporate holiday of Pepero Day.

My wife and I have sworn off 빼빼로 day. We both like them, but just shake our heads at the day.

[AlivePoet]

sigh... Yes, the contrived corporate holiday of Pepero Day.

My wife and I have sworn off 빼빼로 day. We both like them, but just shake our heads at the day.

This being my first year in Korea, I thought it'd be fun to take part, though my Korean friend and I are both equally aware of how it's a corporate greed spin. Still, it's a cute excuse to share a moment I think. :)

[Peru1936]

This being my first year in Korea, I thought it'd be fun to take part, though my Korean friend and I are both equally aware of how it's a corporate greed spin. Still, it's a cute excuse to share a moment I think. :)

No disagreements here.

[Peru1936]

Don't mess with veterans.

http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/abc/home/contentposting.aspx?isfa=1&feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V3&showbyline=True&date=true&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20091112%2fvet_poppy_091112