Monday, November 12, 2007

Memorial Monday

Yesterday, my humans attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at one of the Commonwealth War Graves south of Munich, Dürnbach War Cemetery. This cemetery contains 2,934 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 93 of which are unidentified. Among these are British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and Indian burials, many of them air force personnel. There are also 30 war graves of other nationalities, most of them Polish.

It was cold and windy, typical weather for Remembrance Day. It threatened to rain, but the precipitation held off for the duration of the ceremony. Military personnel from many countries were at the ceremony: British, Canadian, German, and a handful of other nationalities, and many of them had their spouses with them. They were all happy to brave the inclement weather to honour all those who gave their lives for our freedom, and to honour those who have served in the past and who continue to serve.

The ceremony consisted of prayers, two minutes of silence at 11am, and laying of the wreaths on the central cross in the cemetery. The Gospel of John 15: 9-17 was read in English and in German.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.


Due to the weather, my humans did not bring their camera or take any photos, but I do have a scrapbook layout from Vimy Ridge, Canada's National First World War Memorial, that I would like to share with you.

Vimy Ridge(Click image to view a larger version. Credits for the scrapbook layout can be found here.)

26 comments

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

I always think the Memorial day always should be a rainy coldy day.
Thousands of rain let our thought and memory could collect together and with lots of meanings to remember them.

Thank you for this great post, my heart is also serious and deep thinking.

Daisy said...

What a very good and respectful way to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Ramses said...

What a thought provoking post today... :)

Tigmut'hep said...

I'm setting aside a little fresh vishus deer for us cats with a preference for the better things in life! So just turn up here mid day Saturday and enjoy! :)

Parker said...

This post made my Mommy pause for a moment. We think that it was a very good one. Thank-you.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

You have done some extremely excellent posts the last few days in Remembrance. We read them and appreciate them Thank You.

Mickey's Musings said...

That was a nice description of your humans service.
Mom watched the service from Ottawa. It was sunny there ;)
The crowds were the largest ever!During a Benediction, a Rabbi said "we love our troops" and asked the attendees to repeat it.It was the first time there was applause during & after a Benediction!!
All in all a great service.(hope you got a chance to see it ?)
Once again,Mom saye Thank You, to your Dad:)
Purrs

The Meezers or Billy said...

That sounds like a beautiful service Dragonheart!

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Wow, this is quite a lovely and very powerful memorial!
Well said Dragonheart. Still today so many people take for granted the sacrifices that our brave soldiers made for us.

We hope you have a wonderful day with your bean mom and dad.
Purrrrs, Princess

LZ said...

That is a very moving memorial. I am very happy that your humans went and remembered those who fought so hard. The LL was driving at 11:00 but she turned off the radio and thought long and hard about her grandpa's who fought in WW2 and everyone else.

Kaze

Tybalt said...

Another lovely and fitting tribute post, Dragonheart. Thank you for reminding us all what an important day today is.

Anonymous said...

That was a lovely way to commemorate Remembrance Day, Dragonheart.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Vimy Ridge looks very purrty! Give your Dad an extra snuggle for me for his service!

PB 'n J said...

What a very nice post - the Remembrance Day layout is especially beautiful.

Unknown said...

How are you My Love???
Purrs,
Stella

The Furry Fighter said...

thank you for a lovely heartfelt post - my meowmy likes to spend some time remembering all the victims of war - it is so sad that so many people lose their lives in this way :(

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Mom and dad go to a service at a place called Wisconsin Memorial Park...after da service dey always go to visit mom's uncles and aunt who all served during WWII and another uncle who was a "lifer" in da Marine's. Mommy usually brings a white rose wif a red and blue ribbon but dis year, fur some reason, she brought special little flags dat fit in da little holders...

Forty Paws said...

Wow, Vimy Ridge is a very nice memorial. Thank you for posting such wonderful words the past few days. We all should take time to reflect on those who have given their lives so that we may enjoy our freedoms.

Luf, Us

MaoMao said...

What a great post -- a lovely and thought provoking tribyoote.

Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Dragonheart! Every day our mommies read in the newspaper and see on TV again brave people lost their lives for serving their country and worldpeace. Two minutes of silence seem short, but thinking and praying for them gives also us the strength to fight for peace and freedom, so their names never will be forgotten. And that's a lot.

Samantha & Mom said...

That is a wonderful post Dragonheart!
We will always remember what all the men and women in the Armed Forces did to keep us free! Too bad the weather wasn't so good for your Mom and Dad.
Your FL furiends,

The Misadventures Of Me said...

A greats post on a day we all should never forget or take for granted. Thank yous.

Mr. Chen and Ollie said...

Happy belated Rememberance Day, Dragonheart. We enjoyed reading about the ceremony your humans attended.
Purrs,
Mr. Chen & Ollie

Tiger Lily said...

We remembered with you. Please thank your Daddy for his service.

Kimo and Sabi said...

that is a furry beautiful memorial place

Catherine-Emma said...

Thanks for the beautiful memorial. My grandfather's brother died at Vimy Ridge, he had emigrated to Canada from the UK just before the war. The family story is that if he had lived he would have taken my grandfather who was about 10 years old at the time back to Canada with him. If he had done that I would not be here today!