Three years ago a display of ceramic poppies filled the moat at the Tower of London. I took some pictures and then the Archaeologist recited possibly the most powerful WW1 poem and sent me the link. It’s attached below in the post I did at the time if you are interested.
Last night I was at Wembley to watch a game of football between England and Germany. Before the match, both teams laid poppy wreaths and stood for a minute’s silence to remember all people killed in conflicts around the world as a symbol to ask for peace together. The Last Post played and choked up as I always do
As I stood I reflected on the fact that it took so many years for this little symbol to happen. If there’s one remaining situation where public displays of jingoism are permitted, nay expected it is international football matches. Yet here I was with 80000 applauding respectfully the two teams. The German national anthem played to hardly a sound and we sat down in a reflective mood.
Of course it was a little thing but to me hugely symbolic. Have we grown up at last? Is this a really a symbol to hold onto?
I do hope so
We can but hope this little acknowledgement is a sign of a bigger change His Geoffleship .
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Yes we need some hope
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It’s here. Hope is alive. X
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In you there is hope!
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I ‘hope’ so!!!
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I do hope so Geoff.
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Thanks Marje
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Good stuff. Pax orbis.
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Well put Gilly
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Young England looked quite promising!
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They did..off to Brazil now…
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If we do not remember, we are doomed to repeat. I had to memorize In Flander’s Field when I was in middle school. I can still recite it. Peace, love and thanks to all the men and women serving in Armed Forces everywhere and especially to my son, on his fourth deployment to the Middle East.
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Indeed hearts go out to those still serving and hope all are safe and some sense prevails to bring them all home. One day…
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I certainly hope so, Geoff.
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It’d be lovely to think we had finally grown up, but I won’t be holding my breath!
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Keep breathing a little Mick, you never know
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A beautiful post, Geoff. I am delighted to see the English all celebrating their war veterans the way I am seeing it today.
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It’s done well these days and I find it heartening that yesterday we stood with the Germans in unity and today I was at Twickenham with the Argentinians. Recent foes but together in the hope of a future peace.
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I was actually in London three years ago and visited the Tower. It was an unforgettable experience.
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Very powerful wasn’t it? Exceptional really
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I love this poem most of all the war poems. I also visited the tower and was in awe of what I saw. We have a Poppy from there and will pass it on to our eldest Grandson when the time is right. I am afraid I have no optimising for world peace…. 💜
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No, probably rightly but we must keep the hope
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Yes indeed we must 💜
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Reblogged this on Thoughts by Mello-Elo.
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At least, some have grown up. Or, is more a case of growing old, and water flowing under the bridge? It seems that the need to hate and find enemies has shifted onto new foes.
I have been puppy parenting and it’s become quite clear with two sets of pups, that they love to fight. They go looking for a fight. If their “colleagues” are asleep, they’ll wake them up for a fight. These fights generate a lot of growls but they’re playful and I suspect part of their development and help them to build up strength.
Unfortunately there are humans who seems to share the pups’ love of a fight, but they’re fighting with violence and destruction. Fortunately, they’re in the minority but they’re making sure their presence is felt.
xx Rowena
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All true Ro hope the puppy parenting goes well
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Thanks, Geoff. I bought them a bag of bones from the butcher today to divert jaws x 4.
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It does sound as if you have bitten off a fair bit yourself
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I was pleased to be there and see that wonderful display. It was very moving.
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Absolutely beautiful!
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