Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is today and at 11am this morning we had 1-3 minutes of silence to remember those who have served our country. To be honest, I’m no good with saying words for these, so I’ll let Laurence Binyon talk… (thanks Paula for the inspiration to post)
Ode of Remembrance
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 her tears.
They 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 not grow 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 at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the daytime;
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 will 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.
John The Aussie 
In the US we call it Veterans Day, but it’s essentially the same thing. Thanks to all those who’ve served and those who gave their lives to make this world a better place.
It’s a great cause, but a sad reminder. A small note in the month of Movember and Diabetes Awareness. It truly should have it’s own month.
Nice sentiment, John. 🙂
Cheers Katy!
It is a wonderful tribute. I had not read it before. Sometimes it is best to just let others say it for us.
(I should take that advice…lol )
Nice post John. Same as “Mr. Tookes” said, we call Veterans Day here, which is Monday.
We are 14 hours ahead of “Mr Tookes” (east coast).. It was already Monday, 11th of November is internationally recognised
Another blog I follow commented on how Christmas commercing has already begun, in remembrance of that Savior. Yet all the soldiers who gave their lives for their country get only a moment of silence and a day marked for remembrance.
Whether we agree with war, or the politics behind them, the soldiers deserve our utmost respect for giving and being willing to give their lives to support their country. Thanks for sharing the poem 🙂
I agree whole heartedly, and no worries Hawkruh.
Reblogged this on Verbatim Gibberish.
Wonderful tribute!
Thanks Jen.
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.
Well Said,,,
xx
Sooz
😀