Remembrance Day

[macwilkin]

A very timely and sad article on the BBC today. I will be wearing my poppy tomorrow that a friend of mine in Australia sent me. I would ask all Xmarks members to please take a moment at 11.00 am their time and remember the fallen.

Todd

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.
-- Laurence Binyon, "The Ode to the Fallen"

Final Australia WWI veteran dies
The last Australian veteran to see active service in World War I has died, aged 106.
William Evan Allan joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1914, aged only 14.

He served on a cruiser, HMAS Encounter, until 1918, escorting troop convoys and tracking German warships. He remained in the navy for 34 years.

Mr Allan, who also saw active service in World War II and retired with the rank of lieutenant, will be given a state funeral in Melbourne.

Born in the New South Wales town of Bega in 1899, Mr Allan enlisted at the start of World War I and served as an able seaman from 1915.


The HMAS Encounter sailed in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Mr Allan remained in the navy until 1947, and was the only surviving Australian veteran of both world wars.

He spent much of World War II aboard the cruiser HMAS Australia, but according to friends was reluctant to talk about his experiences.

Australia's Minister for Veterans Affairs, De-Anne Kelly, said his death meant an entire generation who left Australia to defend their nation and the British Empire had been lost.

One Australian WWI veteran is still living, John Campbell Ross, 106, but although he enlisted in 1918 he never saw active service.

Five survivors of the war are believed to be still alive in Britain.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...ic/4351852.stm

Published: 2005/10/18 02:56:30 GMT

© BBC MMV

[Southern Breeze]

MacRea's poem still touchs me every time time I read it.A lot of people don't know the significance of the poppies the veterans make.Thanks for posting it.

[Robin]

I like to honour the brave soldiers from Canada, The USA, Great Britain and Poland who liberated my country in 44-45. Many gave their life for our freedom...hard to find words to show my respect and gratitude.

Cheers!

Robin

[GMan]

Colin,

Thank You.

[davedove]

I was told that in many parts of Europe, the poppy is an opportunistic plant that is one of the first plants to spring up in freshly turned earth, like in a newly plowed field, or in its association with war, a freshly dug grave. So when someone saw a new field covered with poppies, it was often a field of fallen soldiers.

My respect and thanks to all who have made the sacrifices for us, from all countries.

[cormacmacguardhe]

I was wondering if the veterans groups in this country still do the poppy on veterans day. I was out shopping today, and saw three people wearing the poppies, they were all Canadians. When I asked them where the got them they told me they got them in Canada. It seems that some in this country have forgotten. I am not a veteran, but I do not know how one could forget those who made such sacrifices, both in time and energy, let alone those who made the ultimate sacrifice. My family has had many who served this country since the Revolutionary War, my Great-grandfather was at Gettysburg, he was with the 5th New York Cavalry, one uncle served in the Navy during WWI, another was in the Army during WWII, he was in the army of occupation in Japan. My brother was in Korea serving in the Marines. We need not to forget these men and women.

[macwilkin]

I was wondering if the veterans groups in this country still do the poppy on veterans day. I was out shopping today, and saw three people wearing the poppies, they were all Canadians. When I asked them where the got them they told me they got them in Canada. It seems that some in this country have forgotten. I am not a veteran, but I do not know how one could forget those who made such sacrifices, both in time and energy, let alone those who made the ultimate sacrifice. My family has had many who served this country since the Revolutionary War, my Great-grandfather was at Gettysburg, he was with the 5th New York Cavalry, one uncle served in the Navy during WWI, another was in the Army during WWII, he was in the army of occupation in Japan. My brother was in Korea serving in the Marines. We need not to forget these men and women.

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) still distributes poppies, but they are usually made of a synthetic material with a plastic stem and are hard to wear in a button hole or anywhere else. I've also seen blue poppies made by the American Legion -- both do go to a good cause, however, and I'm always happy to give whatever I can to help.

Several years ago a friend of mine in Australia sent me a metal lapel badge that is sold by the Australian RSL (Returned Services League) for Remembrance & ANZAC Day. I will be wearing it tomorrow. You might also check with the Canadian Legion and see if they have any metal poppy badges.

Cheers,

Todd

[Colin]

Colin,

Thank You.

Don't thank me, Thank the vets that we all see this weekend.

[Colin]

Bump for 2006.

[David Dalglish]

My dad was badly wounded in WW2, also his brother William ,A Spitfire pilot was killed in action in Africa. I will not forget them or any of the other brave men who fought in the wars.