Fao Mat-moo

[Guest Jabberwocky]

The Poppy is a nice touch

[Mitch]

excellent Matt, only just noticed

 

Mitch

[Mat-Moo]

[stevedohc2b]

Looks good

 

Stephen

[Guest salty_monk]

Much better than the snow flakes

[philshelton]

we will remember

 

Will be wearing mine for parade in litchfield. will be playing in the band have still to convince me eldest that it is better to go in the hood and not the transit van so if you see a hood in litchfield on sunday you will know i won

[Guest Jabberwocky]

it is time of the year to brake out the metal polish and clean the medals. Then off to the Legion to here all the war stories (the same ones every year) and have a few jars. :-)

 

 

They will not grow old like we grow old.....

[chris n]

Nice one Mat

 

They will not grow old like we grow old.....

 

Well said that man

[steve in stockport]

Yes very nice touch Mat.

 

Have been over to the Somme region for the last two years and you cannot travel any sort of distance without coming across a memorial or grave yard.

 

Here's the cross at Lochnagar crater, one of the huge mines detonated at the start of the battle of the Somme which left a crater 90m across by 30m deep

 

The memorial to the missing at Thiepval

 

And the German cemetary at Fricourt, containing 17,000 dead, including Jewish graves.

 

This was also the original resting place of Manfred Von Richtoffen, before he was exhumed and returned to Germany.

[Guest Jabberwocky]

The Red Baron, for some strange reason he was one of my heros when I was a kid. they always said his amazing kill rate was because he had very good eye sight

[fry61]

It's right to honour all fighting men and women of the past --- more important to honour the living & leave to live in peace. Mum was in intelligence in France never recovered mentally wishful thinking I suppose peace that is;--

[Knock-on]

Remember the fallen but care for the living.

 

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

 

Our current leaders don't seem to have remenbered the lessons our forefathers bought at such an expensive price.

[Guest Jabberwocky]

I am a big supporter for the Help for heroes charity and SSAFA organisation. I spent some time chatting to the guys from Hedley Court and they do a good job with very little money.

[philshelton]

just seen x factors help for heros video on tv with images of our solders serving over seas lets all remember this sunday that it is not just those who gave their lives in ww1 and ww2 but those who still do. Think of not only the old war widows but also the young war widows and their children.

at the going down of the sun we will remember them

[Graham B]

THE FINAL INSPECTION

 

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

 

'Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you ?

Have you always turned the other cheek ?

To My Church have you been true?'

 

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

 

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

 

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

 

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

 

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.

 

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

 

There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod.

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

 

'Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'

 

Author Unknown~

 

It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the Press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of Speech. It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Military who salutes The flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by The flag.