Sunday 9 November 2008

LEST WE FORGET





IN FLANDERS FIELDS THE POPPIES BLOW


BETWEEN THE CROSSES,ROW ON ROW


THAT MARK OUR PLACE,AND IN THE SKY


THE BIRDS,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 YOU BREAK FAITH WITH US WHO DIE


WE SHALL NOT SLEEP,THOUGH POPPIES GROW.


IN FLANDERS FIELDS.


( John McCrae )


On the 11th hour,of the 11th day,of the 11th month 90 years ago,peace finally came.


In every village,town,city across the United Kingdom you can see them.War memorials. filled with the names of those who fell in the War to end all Wars. only a tiny handful are left who remember that awful time. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO DIED.


63 years ago,World War 2 finally came to an end. the dead from that conflict are also remembered on the memorials. again,every year,fewer remain who remember what it was like. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO DIED.


The Falkland war. so many,many more since then. Iraq,and Afghanistan now, whatever we think of these conflicts,whatever the rights and wrongs. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO HAVE DIED PROTECTING THE WEAK,THE POWERLESS,THE OPRESSED.



May God heal those who are ill,give comfort to those who grieve,bring peace to those who are conflicted,and ease the pain of all who are suffering.


Let our hands join in friendship,not in anger.


May all nationalities learn to live side by side as kindly neighbours,may there now be peace all over the world. Amen


with grateful thanks to my friend sybil for the email she kindly sent me.


Take care all


12 comments:

Jeannette said...

I will never forget the sacrifices made. I watched the Memorial Service from the Albert Hall last night and the service at the Cenotaph this morning. Men and women are still fighting and dying to try and make the world a better place. I added to my last posting rather than do a new one.
We must remember, always remember with pride and with deep gratitude.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

We can never forget and must always remember. I'm praying that the present wars will end and we can live in peace. 'On Ya'-ma

Ally Lifewithally said...

Lovely entry Mort I watched the Service from the Cenotaph this morning. It was very moving ~ No we must never forget those people that died for our Freedom ~ Ally x

Beth said...

Wonderful sentiments, Mort. I believe our comparable day is Veteran's Day, which is coming up this Tuesday.

Hugs, Beth

Ken Riches said...

Thanks for making sure we remember our greatest generation. As Beth indicated, our rememberance day is Tuesday, Veterans Day.

mortonlake said...

yes ken and beth,i know you also have your own day of remembrance. we also hold a 2 minute silence across the land to mark 11 am on that day. least we can all do ty for comments mort

Jan said...

Mort that was one of the nicest tributes I have read ,on this Armistice Sunday ,I loved the poem by John Macrae ,I didnt know it all ,I enjoyed reading it in its entirety ,God Bless you and your Mum ..love Jan xx

Pamela said...

Beautiful entry. We must always remember. We have to make our young people remember, too.
love, Pam

Rose said...

Beautiful entry Mort! I finally found you again.

Hugs, Rose

Lori J said...

Alberta Evening Morton, Thank-you for your entry.
I was watching TV and some of the members of the veterns organisation are hopeful that the new administration will address the needs of the vets. There was a touching story about a man who builds houses for disabled veterns..

Blessings to you and Mum,

Love Lori

www.lorisletterbox.blogspot.com

Lucy said...

Beautiful entry mort and I see so many more to be remembered from aLL WARS AND iRAQ. They are so maimed, the ones who live, some are fortunate and I keep wonmderin how long will their luck last when sent repeatedly over there.

Sage Ravenwood said...

Wonderful heartfelt sentiments dear one. We should never forget those who gave so we could be free. (Hugs)Indigo