This year has been a particularly poignant time for me and my husband.  We recently visited France and Belgium to pay homage and remember our 3 great uncles who lost their lives in World War 1. Visiting the many graveyards and memorials brought home the reality of the huge loss of life during those 4 years. It is estimated that over 16 million people died and so many of these were young men.

That is why we, relatives of these brave men and women, should not forget them.  We should wear our poppies with pride.  These poppies are not glorifying war, they are a remembrance to those who lost their lives or were wounded, not only in World War 1 but also World War 2 and all the subsequent conflicts our world has endured.

This year, I am wearing my poppy and remembering.

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.

     John McCrae

In memory of George Hocking, age 20, died 12 October 1917. William Burgess age 20, died 18 November 1916. John Burgess age 26, died 23 November 1916.