It's that time of year again...

[zirrow]

fyi - the pins I ordered from the link English Bloke posted arrived today in the mail if anyone is curious about shipping times to the US.

[Laird_M]

Its official.
After the service we're laying poppies on the war graves and I'm then reciting the 'Prayer for a Fallen Soldier' before the final blessing...

Prayer for a fallen soldier
I saw a soldier kneeling down,
for this was the first quiet place he had found.
He had travelled through jungles, rivers and mud.
His hands were scared and toil-warned.

He folded his hands and looked to the sky...
I saw his tears, as they welled in his eyes.
He spoke to God, and this is what he said.
God Bless my men, who now lie dead;

I know not what You have in mind,
but when You judge, please be kind....
when they come before You, they will be poorly dressed
but will walk proudly, for they have done their best.

Their boots will be muddy and their clothes all torn...
but these clothes they have so proudly worn.
Their hearts will be still and cold inside,
for they have fought their best and did so with pride.

So please take care of them as they pass Your way...
the price of freedom they've already paid.
AMEN

[CopperNGold]

That is such a moving prayer. I would also like to suggest that everybody, at some point in their lives, read "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. No matter which branch of the military you served in, no matter where you were stationed, no matter what country you served, and no matter if you haven't served yourself, please read this very powerful short story. It is available free online, just google it. It is a masterpiece of fiction. Beware, though, it will bring you to your knees.

[Drac]

I would love to wear a poppy but I volunteer every year. Normally I'm in uniform, no poppies allowed. This year I will be volunteering at a VA luncheon and will be wearing a perscribed civilian outfit. Organization pin but no poppies. The company even provided the oxford shirt and it isn't a cheap one.

Jim

[CelticSire]

Is the poppy a universal symbol of veterans?

Meghan,

I wouldn't say universal, but very widely used. It comes from the poem "In Flanders Fields"

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm

[English Bloke]

As a former Soldier and Offshore Bloke now, I'm proud to say that everyone aboard the North Sea platform I'm on observed 2 minutes silent contemplation at 11:00 on Friday (11.11.11.11) and we will be doing it again today (Remembrance Sunday).

Lest We Forget.

[Laird_M]

Well, read the poem I posted above, and just abput managed to get through it without quite choking up.

We had several Vets who thanked me with tears in their eyes.

Mind you, my old uniform needs to be consigned to the loft as the waist is too tight, the collar is too tight, the jacket is too tight...

I'll try to put some pics ups tonight.