Lest we forget...

[Blaze]

Why Wear A Poppy

"Please wear a poppy," the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady," said he, "may I have one?"
When she's pinned in on he turned to say,
"Why do we wear a poppy today?"

The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered, "This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free -
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.

"I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
and became a man - as you will, too.

"He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,
I'll be back soon, Mom, so please don't cry.

"But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.

"Till at last, at last, the war was won -
And that's why we wear a poppy son."
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son - did he come back all right?"

A tear rolled down each faded check;
She shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Thought our freedom was bought - and thousands paid!

And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember - and give!



**************************************************

IN FLANDERS FIELDS.
In Flanders field 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 with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

~~By Major John McCrae, May 1915.~~

[christine e]

We will remember them!

Just come back from Childminders group where someone suggested we had 2 mins silence, I said I was going to leave just before 11 and have a quiet time on my walk back but then changed my mind and decided to song time with the little ones and do sleeping bunnies just before 11 so the children would be fairly quiet and we could have our time of silence (or quiet). Few mins before the clock said 11 had the children singing (clock read 4 mins to 11), fire alarm went off (we meet in a school), childminders gathered their children and made way to door, fire alarm stopped. Children and childminders puzzled, I suggested maybe it is to indicate start of period of silence. Guess what, yes it was and nobody had thought to tell us! The clock is our room is 4 mins slow! so our min of silence was then done at a few mins past 11.

Cx

[Tinglesnark]

We shall remember them
x

[miffy]

They will never be forgotten!

Miffy xx

[Mollymop]

Always remembered
Thanks for sharing these lovely poems. x

[Blaze]

If you want to print (for older & younger ones)...

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/fo...424#post814424

[appleblossom]

If you want to print (for older & younger ones)...

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/fo...424#post814424

I've been trying to follow the link above but I am told I am not allowed to. Can anyone tell me why that might be; is it perhaps in a restricted area?

Thanks

[jellybean cc]

ow i cant get in, not enough posts i guess.

[Pauline]

ow i cant get in, not enough posts i guess.

Yes the link is to the full/green members area - one day you will be in there my dear ... one day

[Pauline]

IN FLANDERS FIELDS.
In Flanders field the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,

We have visited many of the war graves in Belgium and France and it is the most moving experience to see all those rows and rows of pure white crosses.

If you ever get the chance to go I would recommend it, not as depressing as you might think, in fact extremely calming. They are kept beautifully and immaculate, such a dedicated memorial.

[mama2three]

This is one of my very favourite songs , and very apt for today...
http://www.mysongbook.de/msb/songs/r_clarke/nomans.htm

[Blaze]

Sorry - here you go...

[Alibali]

We will remember x

[Blaze]

This is one of my very favourite songs , and very apt for today...
http://www.mysongbook.de/msb/songs/r_clarke/nomans.htm

That made me cry - too true.

[Twinkles]

It all made me cry

Rememberance day always does. I always shed a tear ( or three ) during the silence.



Today I was in a shop and they called for silence everyone stopped and was quiet.............except for an old lady and her hubby she was complaining very loudly;
'We always used to have two minutes silence at 11 o'clock they don't do it anymore do they ? Cos of all the immigrants '

[WibbleWobble]

i always think of those past and present who have fought for us.

I especially think of my great uncle harold who died at the Somme 3 weeks before the end of the war, he was 21. We go to visit him every time we are in france....we go dover calais so we have to go past him. We take him flowers and tell him all about what we are up to. we have pics of him and he is the image of my brother.

Also my great grandad Irvine Downs died in macclesfield psychiatric hospital in 1921 after becoming shell shocked. He was 40 when the war started and he volunteered on the first day. Brave man.

mandy xxxxx

[Playmate]

We popped into our local shoping centre this morning, my noisiest 18mth old was her usual self and we thought we better exit before the silence, however we lost track of time and were still there. I'm very proud to say she was quiet for the whole 2 minutes (or was it the rice cake I gave her )

[FussyElmo]

Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass,

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.



Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To my Church have you been true?



The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

No lord I guess I ain't,

Because those of us that carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.



I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough,

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.



But I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep,

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.



And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear,

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.



I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here,

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.



If you've a place for me here,Lord,

It needn't be too grand.

I never expected, or had too much,

But if you don't, I will understand.



There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod,

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgement of his God.



Step forward now you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well,

Walk peacefully on heavens streets,

You've done your time in Hell.





Author Unknown

[Blaze]

I am in tears for the umteenth time today - again too true

[wendywu]

The last post always brings a lump to my throat and raises the hairs on the back of my neck.