Marking 100 years since the start of World War One
Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day, will be celebrated on Sunday, November 9.
This year’s commemoration will be even more poignant, as 2014 marks the 100th anniversary since the start of World War One.
Every year, in November, hundreds of men, women and children all over the world pause to remember and honour the fallen in wars and conflicts.
Remembrance Day is the time to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war.
The day is observed on November 11, to recall the end of World War One.
The major hostilities of this war were formally ended in the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918.
Prior to Remembrance Day, poppies are sold during street collections to help raise funds to assist in welfare work among military veterans.
When you buy a poppy, you are paying tribute to those who have died and you are helping those who survived.
Throughout the history of war in Europe and Asia, the phenomenon of poppies growing in places where battles had raged and where the soil was disturbed, occurred frequently.
Blood red poppies grew in place of the more common white specimens, as if nature was protesting against the bloodshed of war.
The appearance of these flowers in areas of battle had an impact on soldiers, reminding them of their fallen comrades.
This year, the local memorial service and parade will be held at the Moth Reveille Shellhole, 2 Moth Road (behind Willomoore Park), in Benoni, on Sunday, November 9.
Wreaths are to be at the hall at 10am (clearly marked) and the public is to be seated at 10.30am.
Contact Ray Mabbutt on 011 740 0589 for more information.
In Flanders Fields
The war poem was written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieut Col John McCrae.
He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier.
The poem reads:
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.
