Tuesday 11 November 2014

Lest we forget

Amy sent us a moving reminder about November 11. Thank you, Amy.

World War I, known at the time as the Great War, was thought to be the war that would end all future wars... All sides suffered an incredibly high number of needless deaths, and the war devastated an entire generation. In fact, the sheer amount of destruction and death has only been eclipsed by World War II.....

Since it ended, all countries involved - have held memorials to remember their fallen dead who sacrificed their lives for the good of their country. This fact is all the more so in England, where nearly a million people lost their lives...  What they've done to commemorate their fallen soldiers is truly beautiful, while also helping us understand the true scope of these soldiers' sacrifice. Even a hundred years later, we should not forget their incredible acts of heroism and dedication...
 

The 'moat that surrounds the Tower of London has long stood empty and dry, but now, what may look like blood .. is actually something beautiful .'










This summer, the moat has been filled with 888,246 red ceramic poppies, one for each British and Colonial soldier who perished during World War I.


For the past few weeks, a team of 150 volunteers has been placing red ceramic poppies one by one around the Tower.


Each evening, the Last Post will be sounded and a 'selection of names of the dead read out loud, a stunning and sobering commemoration that befits the Great War.


The last poppy will be symbolically planted on the last day of the installation: November 11, Armistice Day.