For Remembrance Day

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The Last Post at the Menin Gate

Both my grandfathers and all of my great uncles fought in World War One. Two died, and their bodies were never found. One is named on the Menin Gate, the other on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Both of my parents and all of my uncles and aunts served during World War Two. All of them survived.

Because of their sacrifice, nobody in my generation has had to join the Armed Forces.

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, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army