Remembrance Day

This morning the boys and I walked down to the cenotaph for the town's remembrance day ceremonies. Ella was already there because she and some girls from church had been invited to participate along with the local cadet corp.



The kids did a great job and even Tyson was able to maintain the two minute's of silence (first time I have seen that). As we were walking home, the chilly wind drove us into a restaurant for some hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.

After supper we all went in and visited mom and dad's grave.





I mostly wanted to share the poem that was read at the ceremony:


IT IS THE SOLDIER

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

©Copyright 1970, 2005 by Charles M. Province





- C