Sunday, 12 November 2006
Lest We Forget
Jon and I went to the Remembrance service today. As I watched the children and young people who took part in the parade, it reminded me of when I used to do the same thing as part of the Guides.
It was cold and grey. Even one of the streetlights thought it was rather dark and decided to shed a little light on the scene. People gathered to watch the parade and pay their respects to those who lost their lives defending our freedom. Strangers talked with warmth in their voices. Everyone wore a red poppy.
We all stood in silence as bagpipes played. We continued in silence as a lone trumpeter played "The Last Post". And then, wreaths of poppies were solumnly placed on the memorial.
As the last wreath was gently put down, the sun broke through the clouds and lit up the scene before us.
After the service, Jon and I strolled around the monument to look at the wreaths. Some from schools looked like they had been thoughtfully made by the children. One wreath had a card which read: "The youth of today remember the youth of yesterday."
Many young men (and women) have lost their lives fighting for freedom. We owe them our humble thanks.
