I hope you will forgive an interruption to our travels while I pause for a spell of reflection on this, Remembrance Day. For me, it is a day to not only remember the fallen but also to remind ourselves of the dark horrors and tragic futility of war where not only are treasured lives lost but our history and past are swept away in the rage of destruction. 
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
From: For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
(All images are copyright to Noeline Smith)
Lovely Noeline, wonderful tribute.
Thanks Leanne. During my family research a couple of years ago I found the full story of a relative who died very early in WWI. It was quite an emotional experience and has made Remembrance Day quite personal for me.
Superb light, really beautiful! Greetings,Ron
Thanks Ron. The poppies were spectacular and the sunset glorious – always helps!
I wanted to do something different to the usual ‘bright and breezy’ poppy shots – I think I managed ……
I can relate closely with the thoughts and feelings you express. I am old enough to have lived through World War II and its scars remain with me. I wrote about it last year in an article about Arnhem http://lagill6.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/a-school-trip-to-arnhem/
Thanks for the link to your post. An interesting account of your experience and one that helps relate how ‘everyday’ can be transformed when we encounter something so haunting.
I have been lucky enough not to have to live through anything like a war but my travels in Europe over the last 20 years or so have had quite an impact on me as I find out more about European history and the, more or less, constant turbulence on the continent. Somehow learning it in school doesn’t have the same impact. Going there, doing your own research and developing an understanding makes it more real – and more terrible.
I went to the Ypres area and the Menin Gate a couple of years ago. A different war but the same tragedy, the same waste. Incredibly moving – and humbling.