11 of the 11th
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DuncaninFrance
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French Homage
Here is a piece I wrote last year for the Western Front Association and the British War Memorial Project. It will take place again on Saturday in our small village of St. Androny.
……We Will Remember Them.
It is November 11th 2005, Armistice Day in France, a public holiday. The sky is a clear, azure blue and the sun shines on the group of villagers that have left the church after mass and are now gathered around the War Memorial in the centre of the village.
A wreath of flowers is laid by Monsieur Poirier, President of the Old Comrades Association – Les Anciens Combattants, as their standard is lowered in salute.
This is followed by the wreath from the Maire, Monsieur Riveau on behalf of the municipalité.
Then the roll of honour is read by Monsieur Poirier as people reflect, heads bowed.
At the end of the roll call, the group, lead by the Standard, the President and the Maire enter the cemetery behind the church which is filled with the colour and scent of hundreds of chrysanthemums placed there at the beginning of November on All Saints Day. With due ceremony and reverence, a single fresh rose is placed on the tomb of every serviceman who served his country in the World Wars and who now rest in peace here, in St Androny, having returned to the village after the conflicts, to continue their lives among the vines.
The Standard is lowered in salute at each grave and people bow their heads in prayer, children looking on, not sure if they should talk or not.
The last rose is laid carefully on a tomb and the official duties are at an end. The Standard is furled and cased, people stand and talk in the bright sunlight.
The Marie now leads everyone to the Salle de Fête for a Vin d’Honneur where the conversation ebbs and flows, the glasses are raised and snacks are nibbled.
We make our farewells to the Maire and thank him for his hospitality and returning to the car we pass the Memorial with its tricolours and wreaths. I take my poppy and place it with the wreaths, it looks at home with them and where better than to be with comrades. Different times, different armies but a common thought………..We Will Remember Them.
Duncan Andrews
……We Will Remember Them.
It is November 11th 2005, Armistice Day in France, a public holiday. The sky is a clear, azure blue and the sun shines on the group of villagers that have left the church after mass and are now gathered around the War Memorial in the centre of the village.
A wreath of flowers is laid by Monsieur Poirier, President of the Old Comrades Association – Les Anciens Combattants, as their standard is lowered in salute.
This is followed by the wreath from the Maire, Monsieur Riveau on behalf of the municipalité.
Then the roll of honour is read by Monsieur Poirier as people reflect, heads bowed.
At the end of the roll call, the group, lead by the Standard, the President and the Maire enter the cemetery behind the church which is filled with the colour and scent of hundreds of chrysanthemums placed there at the beginning of November on All Saints Day. With due ceremony and reverence, a single fresh rose is placed on the tomb of every serviceman who served his country in the World Wars and who now rest in peace here, in St Androny, having returned to the village after the conflicts, to continue their lives among the vines.
The Standard is lowered in salute at each grave and people bow their heads in prayer, children looking on, not sure if they should talk or not.
The last rose is laid carefully on a tomb and the official duties are at an end. The Standard is furled and cased, people stand and talk in the bright sunlight.
The Marie now leads everyone to the Salle de Fête for a Vin d’Honneur where the conversation ebbs and flows, the glasses are raised and snacks are nibbled.
We make our farewells to the Maire and thank him for his hospitality and returning to the car we pass the Memorial with its tricolours and wreaths. I take my poppy and place it with the wreaths, it looks at home with them and where better than to be with comrades. Different times, different armies but a common thought………..We Will Remember Them.
Duncan Andrews
Duncan
What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch? -- W.C. Fields
"Many of those who enjoy freedom know little of its price."
You can't fix Stupid, but you can occasionally head it off before it hurts something.
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Aughnanure
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Very, very beautiful Duncan ... LEST WE NEVER FORGET
Patrick
Patrick
Vive la République Française, le Lebel et le poilu
Verdun 1916: "Ils ne Passeront pas" "On les aura!"
Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit "Lebel"
Vive le Pinard !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axfM1sFqIK0
Verdun 1916: "Ils ne Passeront pas" "On les aura!"
Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit "Lebel"
Vive le Pinard !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axfM1sFqIK0