Remembrance Day

[Alibobs]

I will be on board QM2 on Remembrance Sunday. I wondered if any previous passengers can tell me if there is anything done on board to acknowledge this?

 

I

[capnpugwash]

I will be on board QM2 on Remembrance Sunday. I wondered if any previous passengers can tell me if there is anything done on board to acknowledge this?

 

I

 

Yes they have a remembrance service with the normal hymns and solemnity. Very moving. If you are on board on the 11th, they have 2 minutes silence as well.

 

These were three of the readings at the service

 

In Flanders Field by Lt Col John McRae MD.

 

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 falling 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 Field.

 

 

 

Heroes.

Don’t speak to me of heroes until you’ve heard the tale

Of Britain's merchant seamen who sailed through storm and gale,

To keep those lifelines open in our hour of need

when a tyrant cast a shadow across our island breed.

 

Captains, greasers, cabin boys, mates and Engineers

Heard the call to duty and cast aside their fears,

They stoked those hungry boilers and stood behind the wheel

While cooks and stewards manned the guns on coffins made of steel.

 

They moved in icy convoys from Scapa to Murmansk

And crossed the western ocean, never seeking thanks,

They sailed the South Atlantic where raiders lay in wait

And kept the food lines open from Malta to the Cape.

 

Tracked by silent U-boats which hunted from below

Shelled by mighty cannons and fighters flying low,

They clung to burning lifeboats when the sea had turned to flame

And watched their ship mates disappear to everlasting fame.

 

I speak not of a handful but thirty thousand plus

Some whose names we’ll never know in whom we placed our trust,

They never knew the honour of medals on their chests

Or marching bands and victory and glory and the rest.

 

The ocean is their resting place, their tombstone is the wind

The seabird’s cry their last goodbye to family and friend,

Freighters, troopers, liners and tankers by the score

Fishing boats and coasters, two thousand ships and more.

 

They flew the Red Duster as they sank beneath the waves

And took those countless heroes to lonely ocean graves,

Their legacy is freedom to those who hold it dear

To walk with clear horizons and never hide in fear.

 

So when you speak of heroes remember those at sea

From Britain’s Merchant Navy who died to keep us free.

-0-

 

 

Why wear a Poppy?

“Please wear a Poppy”, the lady said

And one held forth, but I shook my head.

Then I stopped to watch to see how she would fare –

Her face was old and lined with care,

But beneath the scars that the years had made

There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street,

Bouncing along on carefree feet.

His smile was full of joy and fun,

“Lady”, he said, “may I have one?”

As she pinned it on I heard him say

“Why do we wear a Poppy today?”

The lady smiled in her wistful way

And answered, “This is Remembrance Day.

The Poppy there is a symbol for

The gallant men who died in war,

And because they did, you and I are free.

That’s why we wear a Poppy, you see!”

“I had a boy about your size,

With golden hair and big blue eyes.

He loved to play, and jump and shout –

Free as a bird he would race about.

As years went on he learned and grew

And became a man as you will too”.

“He was fine and strong with a boyish smile,

But he seemed with us just a little while.

When war broke out he went away –

I still remember his face that day,

When he smiled at me and said “Goodbye –

I’ll be back soon, so please don’t cry”.

“But the war went on and he had to stay –

All I could do was wait and pray.

His letters told of the awful fight –

I can still see it in my dreams at night.

With tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,

And mines and bullets, the bombs and fire”.

“Until at last the war was won,

And that’s why we wear a Poppy, son”.

The small boy turned as if to go

Then said, “thanks lady, I’m glad to know.

That sure did seem like an awful fight,

But your son – did he come home all right?”

A tear rolled down each faded cheek –

She shook her head but didn’t speak.

I slunk away – head bowed in shame

And if you were with me, you’d have done the same.

For our thanks in giving is oft delayed,

Though our freedom was bought and thousands paid.

And so you see – when a Poppy is worn,

Let us reflect on the burden borne

By all those who gave their very all

When asked to answer their Country’s call.

That we at home in peace may live –

Then wear a Poppy – remember – and give!

 

I haven't read them since I heard them delivered last year on board QM2 and I'm filling up here with a lump in my throat. It is a moving service especially as it is held on board a ship.

[Alibobs]

Thank you Capn.......I will be sure to attend the service.

 

As we won't be here I have just gone on to the British Legion site to make my donation but it won't let me!I am going to remain calm, walk away and try again later!.................

[capnpugwash]

Thank you Capn.......I will be sure to attend the service.

 

As we won't be here I have just gone on to the British Legion site to make my donation but it won't let me!I am going to remain calm, walk away and try again later!.................

 

As a matter of interest, the British Legion site just accepted my donation.

[Alibobs]

Your money is obviously better than mine Cap'n!

[Sea Tiger]

Yes they have a remembrance service with the normal hymns and solemnity. Very moving. If you are on board on the 11th, they have 2 minutes silence as well.

 

These were three of the readings at the service

 

In Flanders Field by Lt Col John McRae MD.

 

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 falling 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 Field.

 

 

 

Heroes.

Don’t speak to me of heroes until you’ve heard the tale

Of Britain's merchant seamen who sailed through storm and gale,

To keep those lifelines open in our hour of need

when a tyrant cast a shadow across our island breed.

 

Captains, greasers, cabin boys, mates and Engineers

Heard the call to duty and cast aside their fears,

They stoked those hungry boilers and stood behind the wheel

While cooks and stewards manned the guns on coffins made of steel.

 

They moved in icy convoys from Scapa to Murmansk

And crossed the western ocean, never seeking thanks,

They sailed the South Atlantic where raiders lay in wait

And kept the food lines open from Malta to the Cape.

 

Tracked by silent U-boats which hunted from below

Shelled by mighty cannons and fighters flying low,

They clung to burning lifeboats when the sea had turned to flame

And watched their ship mates disappear to everlasting fame.

 

I speak not of a handful but thirty thousand plus

Some whose names we’ll never know in whom we placed our trust,

They never knew the honour of medals on their chests

Or marching bands and victory and glory and the rest.

 

The ocean is their resting place, their tombstone is the wind

The seabird’s cry their last goodbye to family and friend,

Freighters, troopers, liners and tankers by the score

Fishing boats and coasters, two thousand ships and more.

 

They flew the Red Duster as they sank beneath the waves

And took those countless heroes to lonely ocean graves,

Their legacy is freedom to those who hold it dear

To walk with clear horizons and never hide in fear.

 

So when you speak of heroes remember those at sea

From Britain’s Merchant Navy who died to keep us free.

-0-

 

 

Why wear a Poppy?

“Please wear a Poppy”, the lady said

And one held forth, but I shook my head.

Then I stopped to watch to see how she would fare –

Her face was old and lined with care,

But beneath the scars that the years had made

There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street,

Bouncing along on carefree feet.

His smile was full of joy and fun,

“Lady”, he said, “may I have one?”

As she pinned it on I heard him say

“Why do we wear a Poppy today?”

The lady smiled in her wistful way

And answered, “This is Remembrance Day.

The Poppy there is a symbol for

The gallant men who died in war,

And because they did, you and I are free.

That’s why we wear a Poppy, you see!”

“I had a boy about your size,

With golden hair and big blue eyes.

He loved to play, and jump and shout –

Free as a bird he would race about.

As years went on he learned and grew

And became a man as you will too”.

“He was fine and strong with a boyish smile,

But he seemed with us just a little while.

When war broke out he went away –

I still remember his face that day,

When he smiled at me and said “Goodbye –

I’ll be back soon, so please don’t cry”.

“But the war went on and he had to stay –

All I could do was wait and pray.

His letters told of the awful fight –

I can still see it in my dreams at night.

With tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,

And mines and bullets, the bombs and fire”.

“Until at last the war was won,

And that’s why we wear a Poppy, son”.

The small boy turned as if to go

Then said, “thanks lady, I’m glad to know.

That sure did seem like an awful fight,

But your son – did he come home all right?”

A tear rolled down each faded cheek –

She shook her head but didn’t speak.

I slunk away – head bowed in shame

And if you were with me, you’d have done the same.

For our thanks in giving is oft delayed,

Though our freedom was bought and thousands paid.

And so you see – when a Poppy is worn,

Let us reflect on the burden borne

By all those who gave their very all

When asked to answer their Country’s call.

That we at home in peace may live –

Then wear a Poppy – remember – and give!

 

I haven't read them since I heard them delivered last year on board QM2 and I'm filling up here with a lump in my throat. It is a moving service especially as it is held on board a ship.

Very Touching. Thanks for that.