Welcome, everyone, to a far more reflective blog post than is usual for me. As you are all no doubt aware, today marks Armistice Day; the day ninety three years ago when a peace treaty was signed which marked the end of the First World War. Over the years this date has come to symbolise far more than the sacrifices of 1914 – 1918; it is now a day of remembrance which recognises every man and woman who has fought for their country, including those who are still doing so today. The most poignant symbol of this day is, of course, the poppy.
It has come to my attention that the number of people wearing poppies has declined dramatically this year, no doubt due to the obvious ‘offence’ which it has caused to certain groups and lobbyists. In my opinion, this is outrageous; the poppy should not be thought of as a political tool used by oppressive governments, but rather as a social one marking a period of reflection, reverence, gratitude and sentiment. Still, in spite of this controversy it was refreshing to see when I awoke this morning so many people supporting the cause through other means, using status updates, tweets and messages to demonstrate the significance of this date. These people have already given their own tokens of thanks for all those who have given so much for the rest of us, so I felt it was high time that my own tribute to the unrecognised and unnamed heroes of generations past and present be written too.
To those who fought through the trenches; the beaches; the bocage; the desert; the mountains; the fields; the towns; the cities. To those who fought on land; on the water; in the sky. To those who fought for freedom; and for those who were forced to fight against it. God bless them for all which they have endured and for all which has been sacrificed on our behalf.
"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."
