Buy a poppy and honour the fallen
Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, or Poppy Day, will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8.
Every year, in November, hundreds of men, women and children all over the world pause to remember and honour those who fell 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 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.
Brakpan residents will be able to buy poppies on November 6 and 7, at the entrances to various shops in town.
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 Willowmoore Park), in Benoni, on Sunday, November 8.
Wreaths are to be at the hall at 10am (clearly marked) and the public are to be seated at 10.30am.
Contact Ray Mabbutt on 011 740 0589 for more information.
