A few weeks ago small red flowers appeared on lapels throughout London; on the bomber jackets of young trendy youth, suit jackets of business men, tweed jackets of old men and even on the stained and tattered clothes of the less fortunate. What did these flowers represent? These poppies are a sign of respect for the Great War.
Growing up any veteran or war holiday translated into one thing: a day off from school. Over the past few weeks I gained a greater understanding of the devastation of sacrifice of European countries during the world wars.
Imperial War Museum
I visited the Imperial War Museum and took a refresher course on the history of these wars and crept through a recreation of the trenches.
God Save the Queen
In church we participated in a nation wide two minutes of silence. After our meeting we concluded by singing “God Save the Queen”. The song feels different when your voices merge with those who consider Elizabeth as their sovereign.
Growing up any veteran or war holiday translated into one thing: a day off from school. Over the past few weeks I gained a greater understanding of the devastation of sacrifice of European countries during the world wars.
Imperial War Museum
I visited the Imperial War Museum and took a refresher course on the history of these wars and crept through a recreation of the trenches.
God Save the Queen
In church we participated in a nation wide two minutes of silence. After our meeting we concluded by singing “God Save the Queen”. The song feels different when your voices merge with those who consider Elizabeth as their sovereign.
War Requiem
After World War II the demolished Coventry Cathedral was rededicated. The talented British composer, Wilfred Owen, wrote a War Requiem for the ceremony. On Sunday I went to the Royal Albert Hall for a somber performance of this piece. The music began with ghostly ringing reminiscent of church bells swinging to alarm of an attack or to mourn. The horns rich tones attempted to play a military commanding tune but were lost in dissonant chords. The dissonance conveyed the loss of control and faith in humanity.
After World War II the demolished Coventry Cathedral was rededicated. The talented British composer, Wilfred Owen, wrote a War Requiem for the ceremony. On Sunday I went to the Royal Albert Hall for a somber performance of this piece. The music began with ghostly ringing reminiscent of church bells swinging to alarm of an attack or to mourn. The horns rich tones attempted to play a military commanding tune but were lost in dissonant chords. The dissonance conveyed the loss of control and faith in humanity.
Surviving the Blitz
At church the current holiday reminded our favorite member of her memory of grasping tightly to the cloak of a nun to escape the Blitz. The next day we had a brilliant man speak to us about his experience during the Blitz in London. He was young at the time but the emotional circumstances branded those pictures in his mind.
At church the current holiday reminded our favorite member of her memory of grasping tightly to the cloak of a nun to escape the Blitz. The next day we had a brilliant man speak to us about his experience during the Blitz in London. He was young at the time but the emotional circumstances branded those pictures in his mind.
In Flanders Fields
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
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.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
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.
Dear daughter, did you think that the poppy for veterans was a London thing? Did you realize that the good ole USA also proudly wears poppies on their lapel or twined on your Coach purse as my poppy is? Hellooooo we are wonderful too! mama
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