Veterans Day/Remembrance Day

Today at work, at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the radio announced two minutes of silence. I work for a busy recruitment agency where the phones are always ringing, people are always talking, the printer is always going and it's never, ever quiet.

I have never lost a loved one to the spoils of war, I have never known the terror of battle. But in those two silent minutes in my office, watching my colleagues' faces sombre and feeling the whole country come to a standstill, I couldn't help but feel emotional. What a great deal we owe to those who have served these two great countries I love and call home.

In America, it's Veterans Day, and here in Great Britain, it's Remembrance Day. Back home, we fly our flags proudly outside our homes, offices and shopping areas. Here in Great Britain, we wear red poppies pinned to our shirts or coats and present poppy wreaths at various war memorials.

Poppies hold special significance on Remembrance Day due to a famous poem written by a Canadian Doctor, Lt Col John McCrae, who was inspired by the poppies that grew on the battlefields in France. (you can find out more about this at this website)

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.

Last year marked 100 years since the start of WWI and London showcased something amazing to commemorate this. Two artists made 888,246 porcelain poppies - 1 poppy for each British military fatality during the war - and covered the lawns of The Tower of London with them. It was all over the media and people could even buy a poppy to keep after the exhibit was taken down. London is always crazy busy, but I couldn't believe the crowds that gathered to see the poppies as they gradually went up from July through to November, when they gradually were taken down. We visited London a few times during this period, and we drove past the tower on more than one occasion. It was quite the sight to see and in my opinion, a truly moving and harrowing dedication. 888,246 lives given in just this one nation. Individuals with interests, hobbies, families and fears, just like any one of us. And yet when you put them all together like this, it simply paints a picture of blood and loss.

(images courtesy of google image search)

My grandparents were all WWII era adults. They grew up in the depression and saw what war really did to a country, and three of them served. My paternal grandfather served in the navy on ships, and I don't know a great deal about his time in the service, but my dad has told me that they never ate lamb in his house growing up, because Grandpa Bob had more than his fill of mutton on the ships!

My maternal grandmother was a first lieutenant nurse in the army, where she met my maternal grandfather. Grandpa was a Lieutenant Colonel and worked within army intelligence throughout an impressive military career. He served in WWII, the Korean War and had involvement with Vietnam. He was very high ranking and my mom has childhood memories of growing up on army bases all over the country, as well as Okinawa, where officer's houses normally said their rank and last name. Because Grandpa was involved in such secret business, the sign on their house only said "Mr. Miller" and didn't mention rank at all. My mom has also mentioned that she knew growing up that Grandpa had to carry cyanide tablets with him, just in case he was ever captured... He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service from 1963-65 and he was principally responsible for the counter-intelligence training of teams deployed in South East Asia. (shout out to my cousin Jen for all the info!)

Whether or not you know or love someone who is serving or has served, please take a moment today to appreciate what they've done.

Lest we forget. xo