At the going down of the sun . . .

[Laird_M]

Aye.
My eldest had the honour of carrying the Scout flag at the Section church yesterday, was dead proud of him.

Had an interesting chat with the priest after the service - he was surprised I didn't turn up in my old uniform. Told him it no longer fits me, and he said his old Navy uniform didn't fit him anymore either.
he then looked at me quizzicaly and said 'oh bugger, you were supposed to read the soldiers poem at the end of the service by the graves...'

Will have to remind him next year...

[mcdnjim]

For all my fellow veterans, those who have lost friends in war and those who have lost friends in peace - thank you for your service to your country and your mates. For those who may be friends or family of those who made the ultimate sacrifice - we stand with you!

For our friends, relations who have passed - Requiem in pace!

[Pleater]

At some point each year, in the days after 11/11 I always find myself pondering on how I am only here because of two deaths.

My mother's mother was married and had two children when her husband went off to war - he died on the first day of what came to be known as the battle of the Somme, and my mother was born in 1927 one of the eight children by her second husband. He was shot and affected by gas during his war service, but he was naturally left handed and he was shot in the right arm - he got his gas mask on in time but others around him did not.

After the Great War there were several epidemics, and two children died.

As a young teenager my mother had a boyfriend who went to be a sailor and he died in WW II as a result of enemy action, so in her early twenties she married my father, but she had a little suitcase in the bottom of her wardrobe and an antique chocolate box full of old letters and cinema tickets.

My Dad had a small scar on his temple, where a bullet from a burning aircraft just grazed him in passing, so it was a close thing for him - but he survived a couple of close calls, and came home.

It makes me a bit thoughtful.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Laird_M]

Well, the Buddhist in me says that you were fated to be born no matter what.

I had a few very close calls whilst serving, but managed to survive (unlike the rest of my squad who stayed in) before medical discharge, so I guess I was fated to leave, and survive to meet my wonderful wife.

Fate/Kismet/Karma, etc., are very potent forces...

[MizzouScotsman]

In honor of my ancestors, and all those who came before me, that gave their all that I might live in freedom....I thank you.