November 11th Day Services

[CraftyCath]

Remembrance Service and march past by the Vets at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday and then the Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall in the evening.

 

[cherryblossom]

Our concert in aid of Help the Heroes this evening went very well. Everyone seemed to enjoy it (and I enjoyed playing too!).

I have no idea how much we raised, and I doubt it was vast sums of money, but every little bit helps!

I had to beg and grovel at work, in order to be available to play, which has all been incredibly stressful. And in the end it came down to my very kind and generous team leader who volunteered to work the last part of my shift for me, in order for me to finish work, and get through the rush hour traffic on a Friday afternoon to get to where I needed to be to play. But even then, we were still planning my escape, this at lunch time due to a sudden change (at 9am), of my base station. The higher powers at work were being incredibly inflexible, and difficult, even though it was them that changed my work schedule at the last minute :mad: ..... but it all came good in the end.

Sunday will be a more serious affair, we are playing at the war memorial in the town, after the parade through the High Street. I'm just very glad it's not me that has to play the Last Post and Reveille, and time the 2 minutes silence in between, because it brings a lump to my throat every time I hear it. I'm kind of hoping the weather will be fine, but if not, we'll just get very soggy, which is a very small price to pay compared to those who have given their lives.

About the footballer wearing poppies - some of the guys at work were talking about it earlier in the week (I know nothing about football!). Apart from the players wanting to wear poppies to show their respect. It also raises even more funds for the Royal British Legion, because the shirts, with poppies attached, are then auctioned off on behalf of the charity, and raise a lot of money.

As for 'buying' a poppy. I struggled too, Amethist. I got a small enamel lapel pin poppy from the British Legion website a month or so ago. I always try to wear a poppy, but we are not 'allowed' to wear paper poppies at work, because they are consider and infection risk (yes, I personally think that is crazy, but 'they' won't listen). But then I realised I'd need a 'proper' poppy for tonight and Sunday. So, I ended up running from shop to shop to find some ...... I finally found some in Sainsburys, but it must have been my 7th or 8th shop, and probably a 10 mile round trip! What's that all about?!!

Sandra - thanks for sharing your clip of the young girl playing the trumpet. I was completely mesmerised watching her. She's amazing. But not only that, she makes it look so effortless. I know she's not, but you'd almost think that she was miming, because she makes such a brilliant sound without showing any effort. She's almost surreal :) Thanks.

 

[amethist]

Hubby and I sat silent for 2 minutes at 11 am when the radio went quiet. As we sat looking at each other with tears in our eyes, this poem came to mind again.

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and your

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause

For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours
And yours.

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/veterans-day.12807/#post-170374[/DLMURL]

You can read where it came from at the link above.

 

[amethist]

Just found this while looking for something not connected at all.

Link Removed

A Story to Tell

Each wrinkle pressed upon his brow
Has a story of its own to tell
The pinstriped suits that he always wore
Were from Sears and Roebuck, 1904.

The Model A Ford which he drove now and then
Was the envy of all back in 1910
World War I was bad and it left its place
Crippling his legs and slowing his pace.

See his knuckles so callused and hard
His heart was gentle but his life was scarred
And see the sadness in his eyes
That's what happens when true love dies.

Each moment lived, he remembers so well
Yes folks, he has quite a story to tell
In his pinstriped suit and no one to care
He quietly passed on, in an answer to prayer.

Author/Written By:
Marilyn Ferguson ©1987

 

[amethist]

And this one too.

Link Removed

Generations of Valor

Of all the lessons in this life
We must remember this
The many men who gave their lives
When war had gone amiss.

A bright young soldier far from home
Tried to find his way
A lanky lad so strong and brave
Gave up his life today.

A young recruit in army gear
Sent out across the sea
Took a bullet to the chest
Died for you and me.

Air Force fighter in the sky
Smoke was all around
Frightened voice cries out for help
Before they shot him down.

Navy sailor dressed in blue
Rides upon the sea
Missile launched,ship went down
Perished in the sea.

Other soldiers, Semper Fi
Came home in distress
Legs were severed, vision gone
Their lives were such a mess.

Many soldiers fought and died
Upon a distant shore
The men who marched on foreign soil
Are heroes of the war.

The nightmares of the ones who live
Can never be erased
In bed at night, they toss and turn
Memories are encased.

Untarnished by the hands of time
The years blend into one
Two soldiers join together
A father and a son.

Their kindred hearts are tightly knit
They share and reminisce
United in a bond of love
When war had gone amiss.

Author/Written By: Marilyn Ferguson ©2006