Today is Veterans Day, 11/11/11.
In Britain, where I was born and raised, it is called Armistice Day in remembrance of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, when the guns of World War One fell silent and peace was declared in Europe. 15,000,000 military personnel and civilians died in the conflict. It was sworn that such human tragedy would never be allowed to happen again. Twenty six years later, World War II came to a dramatic conclusion. Over 60,000,000 people perished.
Regardless of what the day is called, or the country the ceremonies are held in, today carries a special meaning for the living around the world as people gather and recognize the countless many who laid their lives on the line for their country. Some came home, millions did not.
Let us remember those veterans who fought and lived, but also those who fought and fell in defense of our nations.
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