Lest We Forget

by PPP on Nov 11, 2008 11:00 AM EST

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

War_memorial_ottawa_medium
War Memorial - Ottawa, Ontario

Vimy_ridge_medium
Vimy Ridge Memorial, Vimy, France

British Memorial at The Somme

War_memorial_washington_medium

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Thank You.

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Nov 11, 2008 11:09 AM EST reply actions

Thank you.

One of my favourite pieces we did in my high school chorus was “In Flanders Field” set to a melody. It was one of the most touching , moving pieces I remember doing for anything.

And I just got back from a Remembrance day service.

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Nov 11, 2008 11:20 AM EST reply actions

In 2001, my wife and I took a detour through northern France to see Vimy, it was incredibly moving.

We also went to the visit Beaumont Hamel, a story so tragic it’s difficult to comprehend.

A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com

by mf37 on Nov 11, 2008 11:22 AM EST reply actions

That reminds me of the German soldiers during WWI being in awe at the valour and bravery of the British/Commonwealth soldiers but laughing at the way that the Generals wasted them through their stupidity.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 11, 2008 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

“Lions led by donkeys” as attributed to German staff officers is from a book by Alan Clark and is almost certainly made up. The quote itself seems to have origins in press coverage of the Crimean War. Clark took it to fit his own thesis and attributed it to a man who didn’t serve on the Western Front.

Also, most modern histories of the Western Front look at the war in a different light. The old idea that the BEF battered away uncomprehendingly against the german lines has been pretty well discredited. The BEF undertook a massive learning process which made it a totally different beast in1918 than it was in 1914. Certainly, by 1918 the BEF’s offensive tactics were far more sophisticated and displayed a far greater understanding of the Western Front than those used by the Germans and Americans.

by article1 on Nov 11, 2008 8:39 PM EST up reply actions

Darn. I really like the mythology that I had been told.

Live and learn!

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 11, 2008 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

Been there.

Not a fun experience.

Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele too.

by article1 on Nov 11, 2008 8:43 PM EST up reply actions

Thank You

To any and all veterans.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 11, 2008 11:32 AM EST reply actions

seconded

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Nov 11, 2008 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

echoed

jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior"

by jrwendelman on Nov 11, 2008 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

Props to my northern neighbors...

I really admire HNIC, CBC, and Don Cherry ( I’m guessing he has some hand in the decision) for taking national air time on Saturday night (which I’m sure could other wise demand a premium in advertising dollars ) to honor those Canadians lost in battle. (They also did it last year.) The networks in the states don’t do that. In fact we don’t mention those lost in battle at all, except by maybe a number. Maybe Bush thought that if the networks didn’t show them, they weren’t really lost. In my mind though, it is a disservice not to acknowledge and honor those lost. Hopefully that will all change on Jan 20. Until then, nice job Canada.

Proving at least one peson in the South CARES about hockey!

by floridaLEAF on Nov 11, 2008 12:16 PM EST reply actions

ya...

i’m stuck at work, and not a single word has been mentioned of the two wars being fought today, let alone the lives lost. Regardless of how you feel about current global policies, we should be doing something on this day…

Anybody throws me against the boards I'm gonna piss all over myself.
The Left Coast Lock

by blurr1974 on Nov 11, 2008 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Work rememberance

I work at a fairly large Canadian company – I’ve only been here for one prior Rememberance Day (last year, which was a Sunday).

I was in a management meeting this morning at 11 am – someone came over the loud speaker to note the time and to ask for a moment of silence. So we stopped our meeting and sat in silent reflection for a moment, as did the rest of the building.

I’m glad they took a moment to mark the time. Lest we forget, indeed.

by clark4calder on Nov 11, 2008 12:18 PM EST reply actions