By chance, I am at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, November 9th around noon, meeting some school friends. We come across all the small cross memorials for the individual fallen service men and women from British, Commonwealth and Allied forces. We follow the long line of people and hear many languages spoken softly as everyone quietly absorbs the reality of loss of life and reads the names and messages on the crosses. In particular, I look for the Fallen of Canada.
Memorial for the Fallen of Canada, Westminster Abbey grounds, 2019
An open air service takes place and when it ends, I notice the number of young men and women wearing their service medals. Overhearing snippets of conversation, I hear people remember their colleagues who died in service and how they will soon go and raise a glass in their honour and memory.
Westminster Abbey 2019
Westminster Abbey 2019
Westminster Abbey 2019
Words feel inadequate. It’s a solemn and important occasion that touches the heart.
References: Lest we forget Phrase used in an 1897 poem by Rudyard Kipling called “Recessional”.
Armistice Day, 2013 with Les Anciens/ennes Combattants/es (Veterans)
On November 11, Armistice Day, we, like thousands of others across France stand solemnly in front of the War Memorial in our village. We listen to the comments of the mayor and other dignitaries as well as a representative of youth as they retell the dates of battles, of invasions and of the loss of youth during the two World Wars. At this ceremony, one of the British attendees reads the immortalized 1915 poem, ” In Flanders Field” written by the Canadian physician, Major John McCrae, 2nd in command 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery. We recognize the words of the poem as they are read:
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row…….
Here, when the national anthems are played, the music starts with the British National Anthem, God Save the Queen and ends with the French National Anthem, the Marseillaise. Sadly, no-one sings the words now but I am sure many do so internally. I sing under my breath, feel a rush of emotion and a sudden clearing of the throat. Both British and French war veterans, les anciens/ennes combatants/tes, dignified with their medals, stand apart from the rest of us as an honoured group.
Everyone in attendance wears either the red poppy of the British Red Cross or the cornflower; Le Bleuet – since 1920 the official French symbol which recognizes those who died for France. Some people wear both. These two floral symbols originate from the First World War when the red poppies and blue cornflowers continued to grow on the northern French battlefields in land devastated by shell bombardments.
The Poppy and Le Bleuet – Remembrance Symbols
This year it was a cool, blue sky day and the national and regimental flags fluttered in the breeze. After about 40 minutes, the secular ceremony was over and the mayor invited all present to enjoy a Vin D’Honneur in the Salle Des Fetes – the social events room for the village.
This practice of a Vin D’Honneur always seems so civilized. We enter the Salle des Fêtes and see the mayor and councillors serving wine to the village community. It’s a good opportunity for everyone to get together and also talk to the mayor and councillors informally if they wish.
Wine and soft drinks are poured and this day the white wine is a 2011 Bergerac Sec Fleur de Cuvée Blanche from Chateau Les Plaguettes where Serge Gazziola, a well known wine maker in the area, is the proprietor. This is an award winning Sauvignon Blanc, pale yellow in colour, aromatic and very refreshing.
Wine is such a flexible beverage. It’s present at most events where people gather together whether to celebrate or commemorate, as on this occasion of Remembrance Day.
Chateau Les Plaguettes 2011 Fleur de Cuvée Blanche
