Remembrance Day
japra | Nov 11, 2008 | Comments 14
Thanks for my Poppy, P-D.
Roxi’s school will be honoring this day with two minutes of silence.
Edited Nov. 12 to add: Roxi said she was in advisory when the headmaster announced it was time for the two minute silence. She said everyone was respectful and weren’t trying to stifle laughs or make faces. Respectful teenagers–hurray! After the silence, the headmaster read “In Flanders Fields“.
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.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I like your poppy and rose hip bouquet.
I was in a body pump class during the “eleventh hour” today and we stopped for two minutes of silence. At first I didn’t know what was going on . . . and I felt like a real eejit.
If only WWI could have been the last and final war . . .
Hi Japra,
Just catching up. Sorry to hear that you have not been well but glad that you are better.
A lot of people forget about the 2 minutes silence. Last year a friend was in a bank and thought there was a raid taking place!
It’s a pity that WW1 with its needless massacre and lifelong repercussions for so many wasn’t a lesson for all humanity.
Bee–Did they just all of a sudden turn off the music and everyone stood still? “Body pump class” sounds intense, by the way.
Barbara B–My husband and I visited the Imperial War Museum in London this year and were really moved by their WWI exhibit.
You’re welcome for the poppy. I love seeing everyone wearing them.
You should also visit the National Army Museum right on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea.
I feel guilty I didn’t do a Veterans’ Day post.
I think it is a bigger deal in England and pretty much everyone wears poppies.
Is it because the British Legion seems pretty respectable to support and US Veterans charities a bit suspect sometimes?
They did do a 2 minutes silence on Wall St.
P-D–It’s on our list. I heard it is good.
Elizabeth–On Wall Street, really? I never heard about the two minutes of silence until this year…
How pretty.
Thank you for reminding us all.
Thought-provoking.
The kids have a special assembly at school on Remembrance Day. Government offices and banks are closed here in Canada.
Yes, they did turn the music off — and we just stood there, trying not to look at ourselves or each other. It was really difficult trying to achieve the proper state of mind in that particular environment.
As for body pump: I have very sore thighs.
My children have always bought poppies and been taught their significance.
I wore a poppy in my lapel yesterday – and wrote about it on my site.
Chris–I have to say, this is the most touching Veteran’s Day I’ve experienced, well, next to last year’s when I saw the field of “poppies” at Westminster Cathedral.
Christine–It’s a federal holiday in the US too, but I don’t remember ever having a special ceremony at school to honour veterans. Sad.
Bee–I think Americans could use a dose of Poppy power. I think we can be a bit blase about Veterans Day.
David–I’ll never forget Remembrance Day from my time here in England. So glad you stopped by and told me about your site. It’s wonderful.
I love that! It’s true, they celebrate it more there than here. At least in CT, it’s a school holiday. Growing up CA, they didn’t even mention the holiday.
That poem is lovely. I think I got a little choked up reading it. :)
Alyson–So true. And sad, huh?
Lucylucia–Isn’t it moving? And the history behind it is interesting too.