…and in the morning, we will remember them.
During 2014-2018 a series of nationwide and international events are taking place to commemorate the centenary of World War One. The series of events is being led by the Imperial War Museum, which has a dedicated website entitled 1914.org.
The events will serve to remind us of those who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today as well as reminding us to be grateful for their sacrifice.
One of those events was the planting of 888,246 poppies in the moat around The Tower of London, one poppy for each fallen British and Commonwealth servicemen. As Remembrance day 2014 approached, a sea of poppies filled the moat as a visual reminder of the number of those who sacrificed their lives and the blood lost…
Following Remembrance day in 2014 most of the poppies were sold to members of the public in support of six service charities; Cobeso, Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and SSAFA. Poppies that were part the ‘Wave’ and the ‘Weeping Window’ were held back so they could ‘Go on Tour‘ and be displayed at different venues around the country to allow more people to have the chance to see them and reflect. When the country tour concludes in 2018 the touring poppies will be permanently housed at the Imperial War Museums in London and Manchester.
The poppy fields as described by the ‘War Poets’ are a poignant reminder to me of the lives that were lost in both World War One and World War Two and also the lives lost in more recent wars.
Poppies to me are a simile of the lives that were lost. They are vibrant, standing strong and bold yet fragile and defeated by a heavy downfall or a spring breeze. They remind me of the fragility of peace and freedom and how easily our freedom can be lost.
Reflection on World War One (and the more recent World War Two) serve as a reminder of what might have been if the outcome of those wars had been different…
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders 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.
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 ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
1915
Lovely. Just did my 2 minutes at 11 a.m. Shall include this at NO and at OoL.
It’s also Veterans Day and theirs is coming up.
Thanks James
It was a struggle to get ready and post due to my computer problems, but it was worth it
That’s an excellent post. All well said – thank you. Tonight, our village will hear a talk about the Rev Theodore Hardy VC – the most decorated non-combatant of WW1. We have launched a trail booklet, taking people to the houses where the fallen once lived. We have had talks on visiting the front today and the medical services. We held a ‘lights out’ event to coincide with hundreds round the world on 4th August 2014. It is hoped all this will raise awareness in the hope that the likelihood of repeating past mistakes is reduced. If left up to normal, civilised, people, peace might have a chance; but as things are, it’s a long way off.
Thanks Mike
Your village talks and walk sound very interesting and a good way to educate the younger generation about our history, providing the seed to stop repetion of past mistakes. If the lesson is learned, peace might just have a chance.
I am so pleased you have shown those poppies again, Cherie
Although I have my own single poppy from the moat I would love to go an see the moat as it was with them all installed around the tower in the moat. It was a moving experience.
A most fitting tribute.
Thank you
Pouvons-nous trouver un moyen de mettre de côté toutes les différences politiques mesquines maintenant d’unir en solidarité pour défendre une véritable menace à la liberté maintenant , tout comme nous avons pu le faire alors
Je voulais dire “contre une menace réelle pour la liberté,” excusez-moi
I was in London yesterday and saw the London Eye over the roof tops lit in blue, red and white.
Is WWIII going to happen soon?
Has it already started?!
Have we ever been without war somewhere in the world?
Always with the potential to break out into a wider conflict…