Today is the eleventh of November and at eleven o’clock we will have two minutes of silence, at school, to remember those lost in conflict throughout the world. A member of the British Legion came to speak to us all in our assembly on Monday, and most of our pupils listened respectfully to what he had to say.
Today, as I wear my poppy, I am reminded of a poppy wreath that Tim and I came across as we reached the summit of the Col de Chésery between Chatel and Avoriaz in France, and Morgins in Switzerland
Hello Gaynor:
ReplyDeleteIt is, of course, as you suggest here, a day for quiet reflection and a time to give thought to all those throughout the world whose lives have been affected by conflict in whatever way.
It is sobering to come upon a site of remembrance in all the usual settings but to see one in such a place of tranquillity and isolation really touches heart and soul. Your photo is a fitting tribute in itself. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteEach year I find the tributes and memorials very moving -- and there is something very moving about the symbolism of your single poppy. It is heartbreaking to see the names and ages of so many. This year we visited the grave of my husband's grandfather in Boulogne who died in 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. It brings tears to my eyes just remembering ...
ReplyDeleteJane and Lance,
ReplyDeleteI am always facinated by the way different countries and cultures honour their compartiots who died defending their country. What is the situation in Hungary?
Colin and Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteWe were certainly surprised to come across this tribute at the top of a mountain. It had been places in a relatively sheltered hollow. We climbed in October and I don't think it had been there long .....although for at least six months of the year it would have been covered in snow!
The single photograph came by accident when we were experimenting with depth of field, but it seemed apt for today.
Broad,
ReplyDeleteI get the same feeling when I visit thewar graves. I can only imagine how much deeper he emotions run when one is looking at the grave of a family member.It's important also to remember that the lives of the loved ones left behind would have been vastly changed by their loss.
Loved your moving tribute on your blog today.
Pauline and I felt that the worst and most depressing bit of driving down here from Zeebrugge were the war graves of the battlefields of the First World War.
ReplyDeleteThe waste of life and potential for a few yards of soil each month... the acres now given to upright white slabs at those places... and the fortunes spent [in guilt?] on creating great entrances to the sad sites which are now part of the tourist industry! At least we CANNOT forget them... we can forget the politicians, though!!
It is so refreshing to think that someone, possibly quite elderly, or someone's relative has bothered to take a wreath to such a remote spot in remembrance. A better way of remembering I feel.
Tim [signed in as Pauline]
Hi Tim and Pauline,
ReplyDeleteI agree, what a terrific waste of lives and potential. We don't know what the fallen might have gone on to achieve!
The climb up to the summit was pretty stiff, so it must have been very important to whoever laid the wreath.
We went to the local service here on Friday. Afterwards we went back to the local hall where one of our neighbours had a display of his private WW1 museum it was really interesting. Diane
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteI hope you are both settling well to your change of living arrangements and are enjoying autumn in France. I look forward to reading all about it on your blog .....