Remberance Day - Lest We Forget

AussiePhil

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Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day or Veterans Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries to remember the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognised as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries.

Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918, as the major hostilities of World War I were formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. (Note that "at the 11th hour", refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.)

Courtesy of
http://www.army.gov.au/traditions/documents/ode.htm

The Ode

The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in the Winnowing Fan; Poems of the Great War in 1914. The verse, which became the League Ode was already used in association with commemoration services in Australia in 1921.

FOR THE FALLEN

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children
England mourns for her dead across the sea,
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.


Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And glory that shines upon our tears.


They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow,
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.


They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again,
They sit no more at familiar tables of home,
They have no lot in our labour of the daytime,
They sleep beyond England’s foam.


But where our desires and hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the night.


As the stars shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are stary in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.


Phil
 

fasteddy

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In memory of the 100000 + soldiers and support that made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we have today. We will never forget
 

TimW

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Jun 15, 2010
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The office I am working in had a co-ordinated observance this morning. There was actual silence from several hundred people on the floor. It provided a real moment of reflection.

We are indeed lucky for the freedom we enjoy.

Lest we forget.
 

Dave

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May 17, 2010
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For those who have fallen, for us to live our lives.

Lest we forget
 

toodle_pipsky

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May 9, 2010
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It is sad to see that still to this day we have war and bloodshed. It is still something we (as a species) struggle with . . . .

For those fallen, lest we forget. For those fighting today, appreciation.
 
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