Poppies. In remembrance of those who gave.

We have been wearing our poppies for several days and tomorrow an ex neighbor who died recently and who had a purple heart from WW2. Memorial service tomorrow here.

chevman

My father was a 19 year old Swedish immigrant when he got here in 1908. A few years later back on a ship and fought in Belleau Woods, Verdun, Chateau Theiry, etc. Glad he got back or I would not be here.

He got his citizenship for his service.

One of the more powerful moments in my life - and this is the short version of the story - was as an 18 year old Dad took my mom, my two brothers and me to Sweden and then we also did some touring. He rented a car to take us out to the fields of graves out where he fought. And we stood in the tower of the chapel and all as he pointed out things. Dad was 70 and there was a couple probably older than him - French. They did not speak English and he did not speak French but they understood that he had been there. The man fell to his knees, took and kissed my father's hand. The woman had tears of gratitude. Ask me if I will ever forget that.

I have - sitting right next to me - the medals he was awarded, other momentoes, and - my prize possession - the Springfield rifle he carried (in spectacular condition).

I am not a veteran but I hold the greatest respect for them.

God bless all of you out there that are - thank you for your service.

Have a look here. Ceramic poppies in what was the Tower of London moat. The number is equivalent to the number of British and Commonwealth soldiers that were killed in WW1. The poppies have all been sold and the funds are going to veterans.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/the-power-of-poppies-by-the-numbers-1.2094888/

I remember as a kid growing up in England, that everything stopped at 11 am on Nov 11 for 2 mins of silence. Stores, schools and workplaces and even in the streets, everyone stopped what they were doing.

Nov 11th is taken very seriously here in Bermuda too. We are still a British Colony. Poppys are worn & the day is a public holiday. All stores closed.

We were in Belgium this past Sept. We visited Flanders Fields, a British military cemetery and Ypres. They still take this VERY seriously. This year they are going above and beyond because it is the 100 year anniversary of the start of the war.

The city of Ypres, still to this day, holds a wreath laying ceremony at a huge gate built to honor the British Empire troops who died protecting them, every evening at 8pm. It is not the military that does this, it is the city. Every Day. Except during the German occupation in WWII.

The tour guide, who has been doing this tour for years, still teared up when telling the stories.