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Re: Lest We Forget
Originally Posted by ProofReader
Well said, Tony. Might I just add a few other wars too? Unfortunately not all wars are recognised at these times. Having been personally involved with an ex-Borneo, ex-Vietnam veteran, and worked for an ex-Korean war vet (both Aussies), I can attest to the unspoken horrors which they'll relive for the rest of their lives.
Perhaps we can humbly dedicate this thread to those lost, those returned and all of their families from all wars. I mentioned the World Wars as they were so long ago, and yet to many of those I have nursed, they seem like only yesterday........ In 50 years time, veterans of the Gulf War will in many cases look back in the same way. That to me is the greatest tragedy of all..... |
Re: Lest We Forget
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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 her 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 their 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 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 starts 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. September 1914 Laurence Binyon (1869-1943) |
Re: Lest We Forget
Originally Posted by carolinegorka
I remember nursing an elderly lady who had a Concentration Camp tattoo on her arm - she had suffered mental illness for as long as she could remember.
Need I say more? A poignant day to consider the past and the future. Incidentally, the same Aunt lost her childhood sweetheart/fiance in the trenches in WWI - fighting on the German side (my family came from Berlin). They had been engaged exactly two months when he was killed. He was also a Jew, aged 17, and fond of poetry, music & football, just like the British lads. Makes you think... Anya. |
Re: Lest We Forget
This year has flown by and it's time for our 2 year update in a day or two.
However it's now time to remember again. There's just one WW1 veteran left alive in the whole of Australia soon they will all be gone but never forgotten. |
Re: Lest We Forget
Thanks for such a respectful post. Will be wearing our poppies with pride.
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Re: Lest We Forget
Excellent post Cresta, got my poppy too.
Sending karma Ang |
Re: Lest We Forget
Originally Posted by ProofReader
Brilliant post! Well done, Cresta57.
Some more links, if anyone's interested: Australian War Memorial - http://www.awm.gov.au/ Legacy - http://www.legacy.com.au/ Australia at War - http://www.ozatwar.com/index.htm and finally, the lyrics to one of my favourite songs: No Man's Land (The Green Fields of France) By Eric Bogle Well, how'd you do, Private Willie McBride, D'you mind if I sit down down here by your graveside? I'll rest for awhile in the warm summer sun, Been walking all day, Lord, and I'm nearly done. I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen When you joined the glorious fallen in 1916, I hope you died quick and I hope you died "clean," Or, Willie McBride, was it slow and obscene? CHORUS: Did they beat the drum slowly, did they sound the fife lowly? Did the rifles fire o'er ye as they lowered ye down? Did the bugles sing "The Last Post" in chorus? Did the pipes play the "Floors(1) O' The Forest"? And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind In some faithful heart is your memory enshrined? And, though you died back in 1916, To that loyal heart are you forever nineteen? Or are you a stranger, without even a name, Forever enshrined behind some glass pane, In an old photograph, torn and tattered and stained, And fading to yellow in a brown leather frame? Well, the sun's shining down on these green fields of France; The warm wind blows gently, the red poppies dance. The trenches have vanished long under the plow; No gas and no barbed wire, no guns firing now. But here in this graveyard it's still No Man's Land; The countless white crosses in mute witness stand To man's blind indifference to his fellow man. And a whole generation who were butchered and damned. And I can't help but wonder now, Willie McBride, Do all those who lie here know why they died? Did you really believe them when they told you "the cause?" Did you really believe that this war would end wars? Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame, The killing, the dying, it was all done in vain, For Willie McBride, it's all happened again, And again, and again, and again, and again. NOTES: (1) Pronounced "flures" (="flowers"). LEST WE FORGET "Tell them of us and say For their tomorrows, we gave our todays" |
Re: Lest We Forget
Well said everyone.
SS |
Re: Lest We Forget
Well said all.
For those in the UK. The is a two part series which started last week on BBC called "The Last Tommy". It interviews some of the 23 survivors of the first world war (in 2003). The second part is on next week and I recommend you to watch it. All are aged over 100 (some 107) and amazing people. Here is the micro site to the series and is well worth a read - HERE . You can click on their pictures to read their stories. And a common theme in their interviews , as true today as then , war is madness. As one said on the program we fought and then the leaders just sat down and ended it all over a table. |
Re: Lest We Forget
Originally Posted by seang
war is madness
Today I'm thinking of members of my family who have sacrificed & are still serving: To my great grandfather, a Welsh miner, who seved in the cavalry on the western front & at Gallipolli. To my grandfather who seved in the infantry with the 8th army in North Africa & Italy. To my grandfather, son of a Welsh miner (see above) who flew Beaufort torpedo bombers in the med & Mosquito fighter bombers from England with the RAF. He flew nearly 100 combat missions. He sunk 3 ships, shot down 4 planes & was shot down over Belgium in 1944 & spent the rest of the war as a pow, including some time at Sagan (the 'great escape' camp). To my uncle Dick who's cruiser was sunk on operation pedestal (the relief of Malta) & spent 3 days in the water before he was rescued. To my brother who has served in Iraq with the British Army & is off to Afghanistan next year. I am thinking of them all today & their comrades & I am immensely proud of them all. |
Re: Lest We Forget
Originally Posted by DIMO8
Cresta...what can i say, great thoughts and a great post.... definatley worth some karma from me
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Re: Lest We Forget
If you are able,
save them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. –Major Michael Davis O’Donnell 1 January 1970 |
Re: Lest We Forget
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