November 11th 1918

[doctorinthehouse]

Today is the 90th anniversary of the end of the first world war.
Watch this if you have time please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXgYWNstas8
I've been wearing my poppy with pride.

[dragonboy]

There was an elderly gentleman who had served in WWI on BBC today, I forget how old he was exactly but it was 100 & something.

To those who served with much respect, may you rest in peace.

[Jaimoe]

1 in 10 Canadians served in the military in WWI (Canada's population was 10 million at the time) and 68 thousand of our brave soldiers were killed.

WWII saw another million-plus Canadians serve with over 42 thousand dead and 53 thousand injured. Canada was also involved in the Korean War and we have so far lost over 100 soldiers fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Every country involved paid a high and painful price. Let's all give a moment of silence at 11 am today.

This poem is etched into Canadian culture:


In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army


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.