This is Armistice Day

[THECORBYLOON]

"They shall grow not old, as we that 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."

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

[woofgang]

I just found this, its a bit late but better late than never?

[woofgang]

post the link you silly girl

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/helpus/digital_poppy.asp

[Supernick]

I hope our company is - it did last year and is usually good with these things. Having recently lost my grandfather who trained pilots in WWII I shall be particularly remembering his contribution. I asked for a photo of him that I'd always seen as a child of him marching at the head of his comany on the Isle of Wight after the war. I must get it framed.

We will remember them.

[jake-the-peg]

Lets remember too those unfortunate enough to have died in the wars we like to forget about.

Those of 45 commando and others in the Suez Crisis the thousand odd British casulties that died in Korea not to mention Yugoslavia

[january_bug]

I was out shopping at 11am (car broke down, can't get to work) but I stood still with many other shoppers and we, together, remebered them.

I can't help but think of all my male friends, who would, in terms of WW1, actually be quite 'old' soldiers (in their mid 20s). The only way I can put the war into perspective it to think of every guy who was in my year at primary school, secondary school and uni, plus other friends I've met along the way. It's as if they all left tomorrow and none of them would come back alive.

We owe the soliders of the World Wars in particular, but also all other conflicts, our peace, our freedom, our democracy, and our independence - and therefore our rememberance and respect.

I shall try to add a link to the poem that sums it up best for me - that it was necessary at the time, but nonetheless a tragic waste of so many young lives in such horrifying circumstances....

Wilfred Owen - Dulce et decorum est.

[smudge]

How very poignant jb - I'll show that to my husband later too.

[FurryFeet]

My Grandfather was wounded while fighting at the Somme my uncle saw action in ww2 and my dear Dad was sent to Korea when he was 18,, I have tears....

[Robinia]

Lovely words on here. We will remember them.

[sunflower68]

I work in a special needs school and am proud to say that quite a number of teachers and kids, many of whom have great difficulty keeping still and quiet for a few seconds, crammed into a classroom to observe the 2 minutes. A teacher also explained what it all means to them. They were so good.

[VINNY100_2]

Thanks for the comment sunflower:::::( :)

[smudge]

Ah, that is so lovely sunflower.

Your Dad was so handsome Vinny - what would we do without our precious photo's?

[Cetti]

This poignant poem was written by Bill Ridley, a veteran of WWI and 90 years old at the time of writing.

Why Do You Still March Old Man?

Why do you still march, old man
With those medals on your chest?
Why do you still grieve old man
For those friends you laid to rest?

Why do your eyes still gleam old man
When you hear those bugles blow?
Tell me why you cry old man
For those days so long ago?

I�ll tell you why I march young man
With those medals on my chest.
I�ll tell you why I grieve young man
For those friends so long ago.

Through misty fields of gossamer silk
Come vision of distant times,
When boys of very tender age
Marched forth to distant chimes.

We buried them in a blanket shroud,
Their young flesh scorched and blackened,
A communal grave, newly gouged
In the bloodstained gorse and bracken.

And you ask me why I march young man,
I march to remind you all,
But for those apple blossom youths
You�d never know freedom at all.

[VINNY100_2]

Thanks Smudge.Reading all the posts and then looking at my dads photo....It was quite emotional.Well done TCL.much appreciated.

[january_bug]

Cetti - wow. That was a really touching poem. Like the words of Owen and some of the others, I find it so much more moving to know the words are those of someone who was there.

[smudge]

Oh Cetti - I'm bawling my eyes out after reading that - it's so sad!

I've saved that one too & will print it off.

[hannah333]

A school trip to the battlefields and graveyards in the North of France has ensured I will never forget this day.

We will remember them.

[smudge]

It's nice to know it had some effect on you hannah - it's a pity more schools don't can't arrange the same sort of trip.

I intend to visit my Grandad's grave in Ypres one day. I shall take a photo of him in his uniform & will tell him how proud we all are of him.

Some might think that sounds weird, but I want to look at his photo, whilst looking at his name & laying flowers on his grave.

[Cetti]

Dear Vinny, Corby, woofs,smudge, january_bug and every caring person on this site I just had to include this as it was written not by a famous poet, but an ordinary man whose memories of this terrible time were still vivid even after a lifetime.

[smudge]

Thank you Cetti.

[VINNY100_2]

Thanks cetti..xx