Remembrance Day

[minux]

Please, at 11am today drop what your doing and take 1 minutes silence(2 minutes for traditionalists) to reflect on the loss and suffering caused by war.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

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.

[Cobez]

I haven't seen anyone selling poppies yet this morning!!

Went to the bakery earlier near work, and usually there is a Salvation army bloke there selling them, had my cash ready and all, but no one was there!

[Tasmaniak]

May they never be forgotten.

Minux, that was John McRae who wrote Flanders Fields wasn't it?

[minux]

May they never be forgotten.

Minux, that was John McRae who wrote Flanders Fields wasn't it?

Correct, Lieutenant Colonel John McRae (RCAMC).

[Tasmaniak]

Thats right...he was a bloody Canadian! I was actually in Canada last year during November 11 and was happy to see that everyone there knew exactly why I stood for 2 minutes of silence...they stood there as well.

[hsvpunk]

as coby saud, i hadnt seen anyone selling them, and ive been to a few shopping centres.
I always buy a couple. I shall find one today.

We will remember them.

[minux]

as coby saud, i hadnt seen anyone selling them, and ive been to a few shopping centres.
I always buy a couple. I shall find one today.

We will remember them.

The problem RSL's are having is that many younger ex-serviceman are not members at their RSL, many RSL's are suffering from a shortage of personnel. Head to your local RSL and you will be able to get what you need. Head down today and enjoy a drink with a few old digs

For those interested in Vic, you can join the RSL as a social member, with the same benefits as affiliate and serving members.

RSL Victoria

[hsvpunk]

and they have TAB there too..... and draught on tap
I shall head there. Thanks Minux.

[pow3rslave]

bought one outside westfield shoppo on sunday.

lest we forget.

[minux]

and they have TAB there too..... and draught on tap
I shall head there. Thanks Minux.

No worries.

Most usually have a great restaurants also. I am heading off in half an hour to my RSL, love the place

[Smitty]

Please, at 11am today drop what your doing and take 1 minutes silence(2 minutes for traditionalists) to reflect on the loss and suffering caused by war.

I am with you...
have bought the poppy this year as always
why?
have been to the nightly Menin Gate ceremony at Ypres (in Flanders)
visited the Somme, Passchendaele (pic is Tyne cot Cemetery)


..... and Gallipoli

pic is of Lone Pine memorial


and we must never forget

[Julie]

Lest we forget

[LightningVP]

Out of all the shops I have been to over the last week, only seen them being sold at bunnings

[BullittSV6]

I haven't seen any for sale at the shops either...a bit disappointing really. Lest we forget.

[VS_Pete_1]

lest we forget.

[MEANVY]

Me either, not even at the salvo store!
Dissapointing.
Lest we foget

[Benboy]

Thats right...he was a bloody Canadian! I was actually in Canada last year during November 11 and was happy to see that everyone there knew exactly why I stood for 2 minutes of silence...they stood there as well.

Funny about that. The battles and losses of young men are just as significant to Canadians and their history as to Australians. Don't forget the Americans, New Zealanders, British etc. If you want a realistic perspective on the Western Front and the countries involved (allies) have a look at last night's 4 Corners program ABC TV. It is available on their web site. Very eye opening and provocative.

[minux]

I haven't seen any for sale at the shops either...a bit disappointing really. Lest we forget.

It is very disappointing, more so that shops do not get behind it, but even moreso there are less and less volunteers every year wanting to help out. I blame it it on multiculturalism, these people do not want to be a part of Australia's history and rarely want to learn about it which to me stinks. With such a wide variety of people now in Australia even schools teach about these things less. We are quickly losing our culture and what we become known to the world for.

Funny about that. The battles and losses of young men are just as significant to Canadians and their history as to Australians. Don't forget the Americans, New Zealanders, British etc. If you want a realistic perspective on the Western Front and the countries involved (allies) have a look at last night's 4 Corners program ABC TV. It is available on their web site. Very eye opening and provocative.

It was an ok story, the stories I heard from Veterans from WW1 and moreso from some of the Gallipoli Vets before they died really made me proud serving this country. It is what gave many of us Soldiers drive when we thought we couldn't continue on whether in a live fighting zone or just on exercise. I have a great CD here that was released some years ago that has comments and short stories relating to all ANZAC involvment at war...it brings tears to your eyes. I just wish I knew the name of it, it was given to me by my Platoon Sargent going through Kapooka(he was my mothers ex boyfriend about 35 years ago )

[BullittSV6]

It is very disappointing, more so that shops do not get behind it, but even moreso there are less and less volunteers every year wanting to help out. I blame it it on multiculturalism, these people do not want to be a part of Australia's history and rarely want to learn about it which to me stinks. With such a wide variety of people now in Australia even schools teach about these things less. We are quickly losing our culture and what we become known to the world for.

I wouldn't say its entirely multiculturalism. Some people just don't realise what these soldiers did, and how their actions affected the outcomes of war, and by that I mean they don't know or don't care.

Myself, both my parents came to Australia, none of my relatives fought for Australia. But I'm an Aussie and when you read stories of Australians fighting wars and the sacrifices they made for us, you can't help be proud.

[hsvpunk]

il bring up another thing.. mum and dad both spoke abt it yesterday.

Why do we get a day off for Melb cup, but we dont gt a day off for Remembrance Day??
We get one off for ANZAC Day, so why not today.... id happily get rid of Melb Cup day, and take remembrance day.

[vnv8driver]

If it wasnt for them we wouldnt be where we are today, lest we forget.

[vnv8driver]

il bring up another thing.. mum and dad both spoke abt it yesterday.

Why do we get a day off for Melb cup, but we dont gt a day off for Remembrance Day??
We get one off for ANZAC Day, so why not today.... id happily get rid of Melb Cup day, and take remembrance day.

Thats the biggest raught, melbourne cup day doesnt deserve to be a public holiday its simply an excuse to go get drunk and gamble for no good reason, scrap it i say.

[minux]

Thats the biggest raught, melbourne cup day doesnt deserve to be a public holiday its simply an excuse to go get drunk and gamble for no good reason, scrap it i say.

And many old soldiers will tell you this is exactly why it(The Cup) should be a public holiday.

[minux]

I wouldn't say its entirely multiculturalism. Some people just don't realise what these soldiers did, and how their actions affected the outcomes of war, and by that I mean they don't know or don't care.

I should of said "i blame "most" on multiculturalism lol. Thing is, as more and more people assimilate into Australia, teachings etc are altered to suit. Sadly, it is Australian Culture that is being dropped.
Seriously, I have spoken to teachers who have had to teach more about the Chinese new year than about Anzac day. As far as I am concerned, these should be optional studies in Secondary education, we should be teaching about Aboriginal History, Australian History in general etc as compsulory, not about some chinese new year. Anyway, Ive gone off topic.

My bad. lol

[vnv8driver]

And many old soldiers will tell you this is exactly why it(The Cup) should be a public holiday.

Fair enough they deserve to have days like that to 'party' but doesnt it make sense to have a public holiday to set an example od aus heritage instead of a horse race that doesnt represent anythign in particular? the government is basically supporting horse gambling by making it a public holiday, same when i was in school, we would stop what were doing and either turn on the radio or tv to watch the race, that same level of respect should go to the soliders who fought for us i dont see the need for stopping everything in your tracks to watch or place bids on a meaningless race. Why not make other similar events etc public holidays if they fall on a week day why just the melbourne cup?