Sunday, November 11, 2012

Two Minutes of Silence

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow 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.

-Lawrence Binyon


Remembrance Day, also called Armistice Day or Poppy Day, is observed in various parts of the world with, among other activities, the reading of the 'Ode of Remembrance' (above) and the laying of wreaths on the graves of servicemen. These observances commemorate the end of the first World War, formerly known as the Great War, which claimed thousands of lives and was recognised all over the world as a defence of freedom and justice. The war ended at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and it is observed in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries by one to two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. on November 11.

In America we observe the date as Veteran's Day and honour those who have served their country in the armed forces. While this is commendable, would we not also do well to remember what honour is derived from serving one's country by bearing arms? There can be no honour in such a position were not the one holding it defending the rights and liberty of the defenceless and upholding the sanctity of justice and peace.

Ultimately, the responsibility of safeguarding the heritage bought and handed down at such a price by our forebears rests upon each one of us.

...Only, when all is done and said,
God is not mocked and neither are the dead.
For this will stand in our Market-place—
    Who’ll sell, who’ll buy
    (Will you or I
Lie each to each with the better grace)?
While looking into every busy whore’s and huckster’s face
As they drive their bargains is the Face
Of God: and some young, piteous, murdered face.

-‘The Cenotaph,’ Charlotte Mews

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