"Lest we forget...."



It is that time of year, and how can we forget that through out the centuries young people, both men and women, have gone to war and given their lives for others. Many of us will take up the poppy and pin it to our clothing.


Our red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.

Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. 

The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it. Wearing a poppy is still a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories. It is never compulsory but is greatly appreciated by those who it is intended to support.


During WW1, much of the fighting took place in Western Europe. The countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over repeatedly. Previously beautiful landscapes turned to mud; bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow.


And so the poppy emerged as a symbol of hope as the soldiers returned from a war intended to be "a war to end all wars". Yet in the years that have followed men and women still hope that the ideal will become a reality.





In the South of Yemen lies a place known as "Silent Valley". Aptly named, so far from any community it will always be silent, Surrounded by rocks that prevent the use of radio equipment it lies silent, the only occupants are the young bodies buried there, forever silent. Row after row the grave stones stand erect as if these soldiers continue to be on parade, all of them cut short while still in their prime. However, not all are soldiers even though it is a British military cemetery. Two young children are also buried there. Siblings killed in a terrorist incident in Aden. At the head of the graves are the words "Lest we forget". How can we forget? As war continues the innocent suffer.

Yet may we never forget that it was a young child born over 2,000 years ago that was called the Prince of Peace. He is the one that calls us to discover real hope and peace. May we learn to respond to His call.

Comments

  1. Life's journey12 November 2021 at 02:32

    It is good to see so many visiting the blog posts. You are welcome to make appropriate comments if you wish

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