Remembrance Day November 11th 2013

Today in Canada it is Remembrance Day and in the Province of British Columbia it is a stat holiday.  

I personally believe this day is a time to remember our military service people past and present and say thank you.  

I start my day off watching the Ceremony in Ottawa then I catch some of the specials through out the day. I know no matter how much war footage I watch I will never in a million years understand what a soldier goes through on the field.

So to those who served and did not make it home THANK YOU.

To those who served and made it home THANK YOU.

To those still serving THANK YOU and my prayers are with you.

I found this picture of the little girl and the Union Jack flags at an antique store.  When I saw this picture I thought of a little girl praying for her father or older brother to make it home from the war.

These collectors plates are from the Canada Remembers series by David Craig.  The top two are new to me this year the one on the left is "From East To Western Sea" the one on the right is "In All Thy Sons Command".  I got the bottom two last year and posted them the one on the left is "We Stand On Guard" and the one on the right "With Glowing Hearts".

I was at a second hand store and saw these little military figurines so I got them I thought I might be able to use them in a window display.

The above pictures are from the family photo albums and could be of family or family friends. The first group picture at the top I believe my Great Uncle is in, it's from World War I which he served in.

The poppies in the above picture are what we wear leading up to and on Remembrance Day.

The following poem was given to me and I do not know who wrote it.  I hope you have the time to read it as it's kind of long but I believe worth reading.

Why Wear A Poppy?

"Please wear a poppy," the lady said,

     And held one forth, but I shook my head,

And I stopped and watched as she offered them there,

     Her face was old and lined with care,

But beneath the scars the years had made,

     There remained a smile that refused to fade,

A boy came whistling down the street,

     Bouncing along on carefree feet,

His smile was full of joy and fun,

     "Lady," he said, "May I have one?"

When she pinned it on, he turned to say,

     "Why do we wear a poppy today?"

The lady smiled in her wistful way,

     And answered, "This is Remembrance Day,"

"And the poppy there is a symbol for,

     The gallant men who died in war,

And because they did, you and I are free,

     That's why we wear a poppy you see,

I had a boy your size, golden hair and big blue eyes,

     He loved to play and jump and shout,

Free as a bird he would race about,

     As the years went by he learned and grew.

He became a man as you will to,

     He was tall and strong with a boyish smile,

But he had been with us such a little while,

     War broke out and he went away,

I can still remember his face that day,

     He smiled at me and he said , "Goodbye,

I'll be back soon, Mom, so please don't cry,"

     But the war went on and he had to stay,

And all I could do was wait and pray,

     His letters told of the awful fight,

I can still see it in my dreams at night,

     With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,

And the mines and bullets and the bombs and fire,

     After at last the war was won,

And that's why we wear a poppy, son,"

     The small boy turned as if to go,

Then he said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know,

     That sure did sound like an awful fight,

But your son, did he come back all right?"

     A tear ran down each faded cheek,

She shook her head but didn't speak,

     I crept away in sort of shame,

And if you were me you would have done the same,

     For our thanks in giving is oft delayed,

Though our freedom was bought, thousands paid,

     So, when we see a poppy worn,

Let us reflect on the burdens borne,

     By those who gave their very all,

When they answered their country's call,

     That we at home in peace might live,

Then wear a poppy, remember and give.

Thank you for reading my Remembrance Day Post. 

Denise 

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