Windows 7: In Memoriam

Today we remember the end of the Great War & the service & sacrifice of service men & women.
I lost a great uncle who was a paratrooper (red beret).
He died at Arnhem
R.I.P




please feel free to post a remembrance of your family here

We will remember them.

BBC News - Millions to mark Armistice Day at events across the UK

For boohbah - we share your loss.

I often wonder, whether with the passing years we forget the great price paid by so many during the Great War. As a young boy growing up in South Africa, the reference for me was always the Battle of Delville Wood in northern France, fought over 6 days in July 1916. On 14 July, the 1st South African Brigade entered battle with a 3,155 men. On 20 July, the battle was over and the brigade strength was recorded as 619 men! This is a shocking statistic that puts into persepctive the horror of war. As a former infantryman with service in the Namibian Bush War in 1988 and 1989, I salute the courage and ultimate sacrifice made by so many, but never again will I put on a uniform to fight in anybodys war.

Lest we forget.

War is truly the result of so-called leaders not entering into dialogue and the Great War was a horrific time for all those caught up in it.

In particular I refer to the Pals battalions and regiments formed from pals and friends from the same town or city. They were so formed because it was thought they would look after each other and have more enthusiasm to fight, but the concept was a disaster.

Hundreds of pals would march to Flanders, but in many cases not one came back as all of them would be wiped out in a single attack.

War, disease and famine are the three scourges of mankind and we seem no nearer to eradicating them.

As of this moment, I take a bit of time to reflect on these

iCasualties | OEF | Afghanistan | Fatalities Details
iCasualties | OIF | Iraq | Fatalities Details

I look at their name, age, and cause of death. When you wonder about it, the families they left behind; the life they lost makes you sad and you want to reflect on it.

It's beyond sad. It's beyond description really. And as long as man walks the earth, it shall forever remain thus.

Attachment 183224
Let us everyone , Never forget what our Freedom has cost so many families.