I feel very Honoured to be called an Australian.
On Remembrance Day (and every other day) I get a lump in my throat and my eyes well up with tears when I think that so many gave their lives so that I may have the privilege to watch my children grow up in freedom. I found this poem written by John McCrae that I'd like to share with you.
In Flanders Fields
In <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[img] /><st1:place>Flanders</st1:place></EM><font size=" /><st1:place>Flanders</st1:place></FONT></FONT><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"> 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.
<FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In <st1:place>Flanders</st1:place> fields. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT>
<FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">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 <st1:place>Flanders</st1:place> fields. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT>
<FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">- </FONT>John McCrae</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT>
Hi Rocket Boy,
What a lovely,although very sad Poem,
and you are right,it does make one feel proud to be an Australian.
I feel Exactly the same as you.
that "last post" is a haunting piece of music. It is a time of sad but proud reflection, but at the same time, I got great joy when I used to see the old diggers parade down the street and get the accolades they so richly deserve. Time has caught up with them and now they are all gone, but in my lifetime, I will not forget them!
Trying to explain war to a 5 yr old is a hard thing and I hope she understands what has gone before her.
that "last post" is a haunting piece of music. It is a time of sad but proud reflection.
So True David, it's mesmerising.
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidpretorius
I got great joy when I used to see the old diggers parade down the street and get the accolades they so richly deserve. Time has caught up with them and now they are all gone, but in my lifetime, I will not forget them!.
As far back as I can remember my parents would take me down to Sydney to watch the parade. Such a proud moment to watch our heros walk by.
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidpretorius
Trying to explain war to a 5 yr old is a hard thing and I hope she understands what has gone before her.
It's so important to teach our young and instill in them an appreciation and sense of National pride. In time they will come to understand and they themselves can pass on the eternal flame.
It should be remembered that the Last Post has two sections. The first, an aptly described haunting section, represents the closing of the day, and remembering those who have fallen. The second, the Revellie, is the start of a new day, a new beginning, a new hope. While we remember those who didn't return, we should never give up hope for a unified and peaceful future.
Trying to explain war to a 5 yr old is a hard thing and I hope she understands what has gone before her.
I agree on how hard it is to explain to kids what war is all about, we were able to teach our 11 year old more with the help of The Girl Guides as they march each year on ANZAC day.
As a former Defence Personal, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day holds special meaning for me. You can't help but be proud to be a Digger and an Australian. I would also like to share with you this poem by Laurence Binyon. You may recognise some phrases.
Anthony
For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, 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.
They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
This is a special day for me on another level as well. Its 2 years today that I picked up my beloved LX200GPS.Thats 730 days, 550 of them which have been cloudy!
Least we forget……the generations of servicemen and servicewomen who gave and risked there lives in military service for our country.
“The difficultly lay between my duty to my family and my duty to my country and though I love your mother more then anything else on this earth and the agony of leaving her and you little children no one can ever know, I did it because I thought it my duty, if I did not do it I should always feel that I failed my country in her hour of need “
These where the words written by Pte Donald Drummond Clarkson to his wife and three sons as he prepared for action on the western front France 1918 and published today on the title page of WAs major newspaper . I found the above passage and these next passages very moving and poingant…..
To his wife “ You must not be sad and there is no need for it .Had our love been a failure then you would have had good cause ,but our life has been full of nothing but happiness .The cup of happiness we have held in both hands and drunk deeply – but we must not lament that the draught was so little , so many have never had even one sip”
To his sons “ And so goodbye dear lads and God bless you and make you a comfort to your mother and that you may be strong, clean and brave men is the last prayer of your old Dad”
Trajically Donald Clarkson was killed soon after during a infantry attack , his sons also faced the horror of war during WW11 but thankfully survived …..may God bless them all
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Went to the Aviation Museum in Darwin a couple of weeks ago. They had a display of pictures and short stories of the 500 Servicemen killed in Vietnam. I found the display very moving, puts a true perspective on war especially considering our Vietnam Vets got such a bad reception on their return. The unfortunate thing about war is that many die to satisfy the aspirations and egos of a few.
