In Rememberance

[geraint]

I think this song says it all.

[andrea81]

What song?

[geraint]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ntt3wy-L8Ok

[geraint]

duh.

[andrea81]

Yes you're right. It breaks my heart seeing old vetirans standing proud to the 'last post' and shedding a tear. Wish more people would show rememberence day the respect it deserves, see too many young kids making a joke of the silence on Rememberence day!

[geraint]

Tell me about it andrea. These yobs have even stolen the tins for the money from the poppy sellers!

[cruella]

I also agree, it brings tears to your eyes.
I never miss the Remembrance Parade, all those proud people marching.
I get a lump in my throat when I watch it.

[bensmum]

A beautiful song which says a lot. I too have a lump in my throat when I see the remembrance parade and the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph.

[geraint]

It really gets to me as well, it tells the truth eh?

[Kleiber]

It's good that we never forget. What was (is?) it all for? I always wear my poppy with pride - my Dad fought for this country during WW2 (it wasn't even his country - his had already been taken over by the Nazis). My husband served in Northern Ireland and Uganda and the thing is, it's still going on, somewhere! The words of the song are so right... it happened again and again and again and again!! My Hubby used to sing that song, with his band (he had a lovely voice) and although he'd been a soldier himself, he hated war. Another one that sets me off is "And The Band Played "Walzing Matilda" - I'm useless with technology, can anyone find that on YouTube, please?
p.s. has anyone seen the WW1 painting, entitled "Goodbye, Old Friend"? Not only humans fought & died....

[Lonnie]

Hi geraint,
Thanks for posting the link to that song, a very very moving tribute, and very appropiate at this time of year.

Just to go a bit further on Kleibers comment, Horses and Mules, 256.000 of them were killed, and that was just on the side of the Allies .

The Forgotten Army.

[Kleiber]

Well said, Lonnie - we often forget about the sacrifices that animals had to make as well. Not to detract from the human losses, of course, but the animals were innocents, dragged into it, with no understanding. I know, many lads went to war, thinking they could change things - and failed. Only one question - "Why?"
If anyone goes on to you-tube, have a look at "And the band played 'Walzing Mathilda' " also, see if you can find Garth Brooks singing "Belau Wood" - lovely! K (in remembrance of all of them - human and animal) xx

[geraint]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9SFGuIpWg

For Kleiber and Lonnie. xx

[geraint]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iDVuM4DUCrY

Bellau Woods. x

[geraint]

Lonnie and Kleiber, My Dad and Grandad served in The Merchant Navy "The Unforgotten Force". 3 of the ships my Dad was on were torpedoed so he saw many of his shipmates perish. My mother told us this as my Dad would'nt talk about the war. Maybe like many others he found it too painful? Every September 3rd there's a remembrance day for those who served in the "Merch". It took years but at last they were recognised. I bow to every man,woman and child who went through all the wars. x

[Kleiber]

Geraint - you're a star! I think the Clancy Brothers' version of "Matilda" is the best!! Belleau Wood is so lovely, too.
My Grandfather went missing on the trek from Poland to France, in 1936 - we never found out what happened to him, but my Dad went on to fight for the Polish army in exile, the Free French and then the British, during the last war. He, too, never spoke about it - the horrors he must've seen were too much for him and it's only since he died that I've found out what a brave man he was. He was at Arnhem and was also dropped back into occupied Poland as a resistance fighter. Although my son never knew him, he is very proud of his Grandad. Diolch yn fawr!! K xx

[Lonnie]

geraint,
kleibers right, that version had me mesmerised, it was so powerful, sung the way it was, with so much feeling,
Thanks for putting it on.

A neighbour of mine, (passed on a few years ago), was on the Russion run, he wouldn't say too much, but enough to give me a good idea of the horrors the merchant seamen went through,

My particular interest is Malta, and the convoys there, the bravery of these seamen, and that includes your kinfolk, knows no bounds,
They were the lifeblood of the nation, and not nearly enough credit goes to them.

[geraint]

They were all so selfess eh Kleiber? We owe them all so much. In those days these brave souls had no counselling did they? Just go home at the end of the wars and look for work. So many who were shell shocked were ridiculed by youngsters but at least their parents put them straight. Im leaving AB now so I wish you all the best. Nos da Kleiber. Im from Cardiff. xx ps .You're welcome to the videos:-))

[geraint]

Hi Lonnie, You're welcome to the clips. My Dad had a scar or indent on his kneck and when I was little I was always asking him what it was. He used to say " That where your mam hit me with her mop" and I believed it:-) It was a scar from some shrapnel but he would'nt tell us what it was. He spoke about the convoys when we were older but could never finish the tales. Lets all bow our heads tomorrow. Bye Lonnie. x