Lest We Forget
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:16 pm
Although it is ten day to go before Remembrance Sunday, I would like to say a few words about it. Born after the war in 1948, I count myself luckier than most, not only having been born in peacetime, but also, unlike my two elder brothers, having missed National Service which was abolished while I was at school, so I was able to walk straight out after school and get myself a normal job. Consequently I have never had any inkling for any of the armed services. Although like millions of others, there were losses connected with my family, I was EXCEEDING LUCKY that my entire family survived the war years despite being bombed left, right, and centre during the blitz - East London took it bad during bombing raids.
Thus said, my heart cries out for the millions of people all over the world who lost sons, daughters, husbands etc. all in service to their country. Nobody wanted to go to war. I am also aware of those risking their lives daily wherever there is conflict, be it in the middle East, or in Ireland, only to come home to a country that is riddled with asylum seekers, yobs, drug addicts, and people poncing off the Government who have absolutely no intention of gaining regular employment.
So what can we do? The only thing I can do is what I do every year - give up just one lunch hour by standing outside Lloyds insurance in London collecting poppies.
This message is aimed mainly at the older generation, whom I don't know personally - the Chelsea Pensioners, disabled elderly military personnel, and all others who have played their part in the defence of this country, and also those currently serving in the Middle East and Northern Ireland.
To them, I say: THANK YOU SIR, WHOEVER YOU ARE, FOR DOING YOUR BIT TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY A SAFER PLACE IN WHICH TO RAISE MY FAMILY.
Thus said, my heart cries out for the millions of people all over the world who lost sons, daughters, husbands etc. all in service to their country. Nobody wanted to go to war. I am also aware of those risking their lives daily wherever there is conflict, be it in the middle East, or in Ireland, only to come home to a country that is riddled with asylum seekers, yobs, drug addicts, and people poncing off the Government who have absolutely no intention of gaining regular employment.
So what can we do? The only thing I can do is what I do every year - give up just one lunch hour by standing outside Lloyds insurance in London collecting poppies.
This message is aimed mainly at the older generation, whom I don't know personally - the Chelsea Pensioners, disabled elderly military personnel, and all others who have played their part in the defence of this country, and also those currently serving in the Middle East and Northern Ireland.
To them, I say: THANK YOU SIR, WHOEVER YOU ARE, FOR DOING YOUR BIT TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY A SAFER PLACE IN WHICH TO RAISE MY FAMILY.
