I thought that this was as good a time as any. There are no pictures, no graphics and no waffle.
Today is that day, when you either think of what has gone and what is going on, or you dont. For me? This day is the worst day. But at the same time, its a day for all the friends past and present, who no longer are with us, to be remembered. I dont expect the ordinary person to fully understand, however, there is a debt owed.
War, they say is the failure of Diplomats. so be it. But when you serve, that isnt the thought on your mind. You are there to do a job. Its a pride, a sense of duty, for me the Armed Services was an escape from my home world. I was 16 when I joined, and for me it was like finding a whole family of my own.
During my service, I met many people of all walks of life, from rich and poor families. But once that uniform is put on, every one becomes the same. It is that, which bonds you at the start, and it is those bonds, when the time comes, that will see you through. Yes we fight for our country, but on the field, we fight for each other, to protect one another.
That is why on this day, I will not be thinking of how I served my country, but how we fought, and sometimes lost, for each other, and those friends who will forever remain young.
Very thought provoking, and so important for today. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteYes, as good a time as any, Cheyenne. Respect to those who serve, and those who have served. Lest we forget.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Cheyenne.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written and meant to be shared. Thanks for putting it hear for all of us to read & to reflect upon.
ReplyDeleteThanks all, I always have a bad time around this time. But Its only for a short while, so although the day has gone, and everyone moves on, it is difficult to forget, nor should we. But its good to know there are others out there.
ReplyDeleteOur Royal Canadian Legion puts on a very moving tribute to the fallen soldiers; and this poem is the one that is sometimes said just before the two minutes of silence:
ReplyDeleteThey went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
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.
(Laurence Binyon)
God bless you and your troop, for serving your country and humanity.
I`ve heard that poem before, I was part of an Honour Guard at the Dunkirk Anniversary Celebrations. That was back in the 70`s. I was young and new to it all. A short while later, and my mind was forever altered.
ReplyDeleteHowever, at the time we also took part in the Canadian Anniversary Memorial Day that year. It was good to see so many.
But thanks for the poem, its always a good reminder of the Glory that we all hold them in.
The saddest part of all is that we do not seem to learn lessons from any wars but instead we keep on the incessant treadmill of hating and fighting each other.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Jc, that is so true, an inevitable truth, some one once said, that humans were destined to repeat the mistakes of the past. But, its a sad truth that, it is always the innocents that take the brunt, no matter who are the protagonists.
ReplyDeleteWe have an army boy in our family and I understood that somehow. I remember and I am thankful.
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