Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.




Waltzing Australia

Wednesday 11 November 2009

Remembrance Day - Armistice Day - Poppy Day



Lest we forget
For our tomorrow,
They gave their today.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the guns of Western Europe fell silent after four years of hell and bloodshed. The Armistice treaty was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest and marked the end of The Great War (now called WWI)

Red poppies - Flanders Poppies - were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldiers' folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades drenching the ground. It is for this reason the humble red poppy is worn on Remembrance Day to remember, honour and pay homage to all those who died.



THE ODE
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.


From "For The Fallen" Laurence Binyon (1869–1943)


The Last Post


More information about Remembrance Day here.

9 comments:

Elaine Yim said...

Wow, the scenery here is breathtaking. I think it is a very good idea to remember all those who have sacrificed their lifes and died for the country. It makes us realise how lucky we are to experience peace and to be free from the hardships caused by war.

Leif Hagen said...

We call it "Veterans Day." We will honor two local WWII veterans at our Wednesday Rotary lunch meeting.

~Cheryl said...

A very appropriate and well done post! And I had forgotten about poppies, so thank you!

Cezar and Léia said...

Beautiful homage dear friend!
Your video and pictures are very touched!

Léia

B SQUARED said...

We will never forget their sacrifice.

Anonymous said...

incredible place!

Lowell said...

Beautiful post. Wonderful photos!

VP said...

We were in London last week and so many people were wearing these poppies on their lapels. Beautiful image, great post.

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

An excellent post, with the remembrance ode. Although in the US the day has been called "Veterans Day" since 1954, Veterans still hand out the red poppies.

Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.