I am not sure how those born since 1945 can understand or appreciate the hardships and sacrifice previous generations made for their country as life has changed so much it is impossible to put yourself back in their shoes.
Having said that, certainly here in the UK, we have a wealth of dramas, documentaries and remembrance programmes on television as we come up to the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War 1. We are currently viewing a brilliant drama series called "The Crimson Field" about a medical hospital close to the front line of the trenches in France. You would find it difficult not to be proud of these young, and not so young, soldiers who paid the ultimate price. I am hoping at some point during the next 4 years to visit a few of the battlefields of France to experience a tiny part of what it must have been like.
Having said that, certainly here in the UK, we have a wealth of dramas, documentaries and remembrance programmes on television as we come up to the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War 1. We are currently viewing a brilliant drama series called "The Crimson Field" about a medical hospital close to the front line of the trenches in France. You would find it difficult not to be proud of these young, and not so young, soldiers who paid the ultimate price. I am hoping at some point during the next 4 years to visit a few of the battlefields of France to experience a tiny part of what it must have been like.
One of the wonders of the modern age is the world wide web, as it has given us the chance to research the lives of those who came before us and to record their stories which can then be read around the world almost instantaneously. I have a number of ancestors who died in the World Wars and I hope to feature them in my 52 ancestors in 52 weeks blog. May they never be forgotten.
This wonderful poem was written in his pocket book by a doctor serving with the Canadian Forces in memory of a friend who had died at the second battle of Ypres. He had noticed how quickly poppies grew around the graves of the fallen. It was subsequently published anonymously in Punch. An American woman, who had read the poem, bought some poppies and decided to wear one and sell the rest to friends and family in order to raise funds for servicemen in need. The first ever Poppy Day was held in Britain on 11th November 1921 and poppies have been worn to donate remembrance ever since.
' When you go home, tell them of us, and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today. '