Lest we Forget and Operation Write Home card drive update

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

100 years ago today, England declared war on Germany.  Thus began "the war to end all wars".  

Just over 4 years later 16 million military personnel were dead and 21 million wounded. 

On 25 July 2009, Harry Patch, the last known surviving soldier to have fought in the trenches of Europe, died.  Along with his death, the trench warfare of World War 1  passed from living memory.  It is so important NEVER to forget those who fought and lost their lives.

100 years on, we are still fighting wars.  They might not include millions of soldiers spending years away from home fighting hand-to-hand combat in the fetid trenches seeing and participating in acts of which they would be forever unable to speak, but soldiers still fight away from home.  Soldiers still die away from home.  Some come home but will never be the same.  

It's as important to remember and thank those who serve to protect us and keep us free today, as it is to thank those who fought before them.

On this, the 100th anniversary of World War I, I had intended to announce my annual Operation Write Home card drive.  However, the amazing Sandy Allnock posted a notice saying that as - thankfully - so many of our troops will be returning home in the next few months, very few of the OWH contacts need cards.

In the past, you - my fabulous blog readers - have been unstinting in your participation in these card drives.  So, instead of doing a large card drive for OWH this year, I invite you to send just a few general purpose cards to OWH.  You can check out the link to Sandy's post for ideas on what she needs.   However, if you have a church, old age home - or other charity - I invite you to direct your cards towards those needs instead.  

As I close my post tonight, I am once again drawn to my dearest friend Pammie's poem.  I first featured this poem 3 years ago on Poppy Day.  I think it's the perfect poem to feature again tonight.  Pammie was inspired to pen this poem when she saw a photograph owned by her Grandmother.   

The Photograph 

He didn't know his country only his street

never saw waves or fields full of wheat

he'd seen many canyons in the mines far below

as he shovelled the sweat with the coal

He worked hard for his supper this coal dusty man

 

Married my gran money already spent

moonlighting flits couldn't pay rent

Dossed down with neighbours on hard wooden floors

shared out the bread and the womanly chores

the pride slowly ebbed from this destitute man

 

Never went to church in borrowed Sunday best

but polished his shoes in his worn holy vest

waited on dinner pathetic pale stew

sat on hand me down chairs not long glossy pews

Yet he worshiped his own this unholy man

 

Saved by sirens war in France

Fair exchange arms for pence

smart in his uniform buttons shone bright

she stood on the pavement and waved him from sight

gone was the soldier a very young man

 

Still she yearns for her courageous young man

now sitting like stone pale and wan

he was framed long ago for his sweethearts mantle

he died in the war she lit him a candle

and cried for her Bill a very brave man.

 

 

 

Jaydee

Comments

[Rach]

Pammie's poem is so beautiful. I love it when you post it--thank you both for sharing it.

I'm so grateful the need for OWH cards is dwindling. Now to figure out what to do with all those cards I've been making and setting aside for your card drive...;o)

Hugs!

P.S. Hi Lou! :o)

[ColleenB. - Texas]

A wonderful poem
Thanks for sharing this Jaydee

[Terri]

I have seen a number of graveyards in Europe, row after row after heartbreaking row of boys, deprived of every opportunity to have families, children or grow old, because of war, will we ever learn? It is good to hear that the demand for cards is lessened, but equally sad to read the news and know that no matter what, innocents are being killed for war. Thanks for this post. Peace.