Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Lest we forget

Today is not just another day off, for sleeping in and late breakfast.

Today is a day of remembrance.
For those whose fight let us be here today, and for those who are still fighting.




As the bagpipes played on television, the camera panned over the faces of the veterans. Their eyes told a million stories, flitting back and forth, as though memories were passing by them as they stood straight.

My grandfather fought in World War II.
He doesn't really speak of it. Most of what I know, of his sail out of Halifax, of his signing up despite his young age, is all through the mouths of other family members.
But one day, out of the blue he spoke of being on a ship in a storm. He held onto a rope for dear life as the ship was tossed about in the waves, and watched as a friend's grip loosened. He saw his friend fly into the rolling whitecaps below, and disappear. A man's life gone, merely on his way to fight.


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.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post.

Crashdummie said...

thats a lovely post... and yes, we will remember.

Mrs4444 said...

Lovely. Thanks.

Tonya said...

Thank you for that. That was beautiful!

P said...

Both my grandfathers fought in WWII too also. Only one of them is still alive now but I have so much pride in that.

Katelin said...

what an amazingly lovely post.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful.

Essentially Me said...

The stories are really touching. Thanks for posting this.

Rachel said...

simply beautiful

Dizzie said...

Hi Princess

Sorry I haven't gotten around to comment on your blog lately, my life had been crazy...

...so, to stop some of the craziness from spinning my head, I've taken a pluge and signed up with a book publisher... the details are on my blog.

I love the sound of bagpipes, even though they sound so sad and eire to me...

...and the WWII... well, I was born and brought up down the road from Auschwitz, and the memory of what happened will never die. We cannot kid outselves that it's okay now, that we've moved on, because we cannot make the same mistakes all over again.

I love your writing - have been missing you bundles! Good to be back... :)

dmb5_libra said...

nice post. i watched "the war" on pbs sunday. i think it should be required viewing for all americans.

Sheila said...

Brings tears to my eyes.

My grandfather never really spoke about when he was in WWII, but he did talk about his involvement in Radio Bikini. The movie about it still makes me shake my head at all that transpired.

Jocelyn said...

A spare tribute is most touching. Thank you.

K and/or K said...

I know I'ma little late here, but I just wanted to say, lovely words. And beautiful poppies.