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Post by artisans on Oct 31, 2008 12:05:24 GMT 2
As promised, here are a few snaps from Oxi Day on Tuesday. You may recognise a face or two! Not only is Oxi Day a time to remember when Greece made a stand against Mussolini but it is also a rememberance day for those who fought and lost their lives in the war.
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Post by kathwebber on Oct 31, 2008 12:45:51 GMT 2
Some lovely photos Artisans - and yes I did recognise a face or three!
regards, Kath.
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Post by jeanp on Oct 31, 2008 13:19:34 GMT 2
Looks like every had a good day.
Great photos!!!!
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Post by artisans on Oct 31, 2008 13:22:14 GMT 2
It was Jean, the whole community in a relaxed mood remembering their past with pride.
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Post by petra on Oct 31, 2008 14:40:35 GMT 2
Nice photographs!!! Thanks Steve and Julie. In Holland we have (a) remembrance day at the 4th of May, at 8 o'clock in the evening . We have 2 minutes of silence for those who died during WW2 or later on (Iraq, former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan ..) . We celebrate our freedom at the day we were freed by the Allied Powers in 1945: the 5th of May. In my village there is a big parade every 5 years,like the one in Acharavi. A lot of Canadian veterans are still coming over every 5 years for the festivities. Since they are very old now, there are less coming over than 10 years ago. A lot of people come to see the parade, we have to be very early to get a good spot to see everything.. They show old militairy vehicles ("Keep them rolling"-club) and there's a lot of music. We too learn our children to be grateful for being free... and to thank the veterans (who helped us back then in 45) by being present at the parade. We also have a big statue , in Apeldoorn where I live; a person holding in his hands two hats, one dutch and a canadian one. There is also another statue (the same) in Ottawa, canada.
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Post by petra on Nov 9, 2008 15:10:07 GMT 2
When I was writing the small story last week about the Dutch remembrance day at the 5th of May, I didn´t know yet that the children of Kellys school were going to attend a ceremony today on Remembrance (Sun)day, Poppy day (off. 11th of November). They had to put a small cross with a poppy on it ,at the "remembrance bench". There was music, and there was a recital of poems, one of them " In Flanders fields". And the wreaths at the memorial statue and a minute of silence as well.
This is what I found at Wikipedia about Poppy day: Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote a poem on May 3, 1915, after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, the day before. The poem is called: " In Flanders fields". The poppies referred to in the poem grew in profusion in Flanders where war casualties had been buried and thus became a symbol of Remembrance Day.
"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."
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae
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Post by petra on Nov 9, 2008 15:40:59 GMT 2
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anji
Roda Probationer
Posts: 44
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Post by anji on Nov 9, 2008 16:15:36 GMT 2
Its nice to see children involved in the parades its something you dont see a lot of here
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Post by artisans on Nov 9, 2008 18:10:33 GMT 2
Thanks Petra,
About four years ago, at this time of year, Julie & I were driving back from Roda and we had a day to lose between Lille & Dunkerque. We decided to visit some of the war graves and just happened to come across the cemetery near Ypres where John McCrae wrote the poem. It is there on a plaque for all to read and some of the bunkers still exist. I remember that we felt guilty at not wanting to go out in the rain until we realised that all those laid out before us lived, fought & died in conditions much worse. We went out, got wet, and we were glad that we did. It was very humbling. We're not sure if we have any photos, but we're looking.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Nov 9, 2008 19:59:54 GMT 2
We can't find our photos of the cemetery, but it is called 'Essex Farm', and is just north of Ypres on the side of the canal. This is the bunker:
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Post by kellyvanwerven on Nov 9, 2008 20:58:53 GMT 2
Cool we have all got a poppy to put on our jacket I found it verry special to be there today very weird to put that little cross for the people are dead , but its feels like i know who they are really weird >.< Greetings from kelly
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