Because of them, it made us feel as though we had a need to fear these countries that we weren’t very knowledgable about, and this made us think things that may very well have been entirely untrue about the countries. The media made us agree to go to war to try to protect ourselves from so called weapons of mass destruction which were proved later never to have existed in the first place. I think that this is completely out of order because, if you take a moment to think about the number of people who have lost their lives because of the war, you will see that many people have died over something that didn’t even exist which is just ridiculous.

So, how can we change this? The simple fact is that the things that we read in the newspapers aren’t always true, and this means that we shouldn’t pay much attention to it. Instead of spending your money on newspapers which are often biased, you should instead watch the news on the BBC, who try to present the facts with no bias as far as they possibly can. You might find that this gives you a much better idea of what the true facts are, and you would be able to think about things a lot easier if you were able to make up your own mind about them.

We owe this to all of our soldiers who have died for our country. They were sent to war without really knowing what they were fighting against, and the government knew full well that they were going to war for no reason at all. This is completely unacceptable, and a lot of young lives have been lost over the course of the last decade simply because the media feel the need to report on things that aren’t true, and they also feel the need to exaggerate the things that are true. 

Remember that not everything that you read is true. 

A lot of people wish for many different things, however I am fascinated by the variation in the things that people seem to be wishing for. On social networking websites this morning, I have seen many things from wishing for material goods, wishing for success, or wishing for health and happiness. Personally, I don’t believe in telling other people what you wish for, as I don’t think that it comes true if you do this.

One thing that I would urge people to wish for, though, is the safety of all our our soldiers who are at war at the moment. As most of us know, the 11th of November was the day that the war was ended so many years ago, and this day has been the day to remember our fallen soldiers ever since.

A simple prayer for the families of these soldiers would go a long way indeed. You need to remember that it isn’t just about those who were killed in the first and second world war, but also that there were so many people killed in Iraq, and even more people being killed every day in Afghanistan. This is something that is still affected many people throughout the world today, and most of us will know or know of somebody who has been in the army and been sent to fight in a dangerous conflict abroad.

You should think yourself very lucky if you haven’t been affected by the war; as there is nothing worse than learning that a family member or a friend has been killed in conflict. 

We are so proud of our heroes, and know that this will continue to be the case for as long as they continue to fight for us. They are risking their lives every single day in order to make our lives safer to live, and this is something that we all have to be incredibly thankful for.

If you agree that our troops deserve praise and memory, please share this link on your social networking websites and spread the word as far as you possibly can.

Our troops deserve that. 

World football’s governing body had initially rejected requests from the British government to allow England and Wales to wear poppies, instead permitting them to wear black armbands and observe periods of silence.

However, following statements from British Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the ban “outrageous” and “absurd”, and FA president Prince William, FIFA changed its stance.

“The Duke’s strong view is that the poppy is a universal symbol which has no political, religious or commercial connotations. The Duke has asked FIFA to apply an exception in this special circumstance,” said a spokesman for Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and second-in-line to the throne.

England take on world champions Spain at Wembley and Wales play Norway in Cardiff on Saturday. Scotland are playing a friendly in Cyprus on Friday.

In a statement issued from his office on Wednesday morning, Cameron said: “This seems outrageous. The idea that wearing a poppy to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom is a political act is absurd.

“Wearing a poppy is an act of huge respect and national pride. I hope FIFA will reconsider.”

The British Government, backed by the English FA, asked FIFA for permission to wear the poppies, the country’s traditional way of remembering members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty.

Remembrance Day falls on November 11, the anniversary of the day the Armistice was signed marking the end of the First World War in 1918.

However, FIFA rejected the appeal in a letter to the FA.

“We regret to inform you that accepting such initiatives would open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world, jeopardising the neutrality of football,” FIFA wrote.

“Therefore, we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised.

“There are a variety of options where the FA can continue supporting the cause of Remembrance. One of them already was approved by FIFA, the Period of Silence.”

FIFA had agreed to allow a minute’s silence to be held before the games and for the teams to wear poppies on their training kits.

FIFA rules prevent items of a political nature being worn on shirts and although it does not regard poppies as political, FIFA is concerned it would open the door to countries wanting to wear various different emblems on their shirts.

British sports minister Hugh Robertson wrote to the sport’s world ruling body urging it to re-think the decision.

“We fully understand, and respect, FIFA’s rules on its member nations not adorning their shirts with ‘commercial’, ‘political’, or ‘religious’ symbols or messages,” Robertson wrote.

“However, the British public feel very strongly about this issue which is seen as an act of national remembrance to commemorate those who gave their lives in the service of their country. It is not religious or political in any way.”

British media reported on Wednesday that two men climbed on to the roof of FIFA headquarters in Zurich with a banner protesting against the decision to prevent the England team from wearing poppies.

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Veterans Day is a day about honoring all those who serve our country active military or retired.  It is about honoring those who have fallen and those who have come back to us.  Many non-military Americans let Veterans Day slip by without much thought and it deeply saddens me.  Being a volunteer for the USO I have had the honor to give a little bit back to the men and women who have served our country.  It is a rewarding experience and because of it I will never let Veterans Day slip by without doing some sort of remembrance ritual. 

I am not asking everyone to go out and volunteer (even though it would be amazing if I could convince you to do that, or if you already do).  I am just hoping that most people will at least take five minutes out of their day to do something in the name of Veterans Day.  The possibilities can be as creative as you like or as simple.  Call a friend who served and say “Thank You” or write a letter to your local office that deals with veteran’s affairs and ask them to forward your letter on.  Even taking some time to prey for those who lost their lives would be acceptable. 

There are many memorial’s scattered across the United States.  Most are for certain branches of the military or certain groups.  You can find a Navy Memorial or a Vietnam Women’s Memorial; many of these places hold events on Veterans Day or the weekend of.  Attending one of these are a great way to show your support.

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History of Veterans Day:

92 years ago, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month a temporary cessation of hostilities was declared between Germany and the Allies in the First World War.   The following year that day was commemorated as Armistice Day.  In 1938 it was declared in the United States that November 11th would be a legal federal holiday.  After World War II and the Korean War the name was changed to Veterans Day to dedicate the American veterans in all wars.

Do something to show your support on Veterans Day 2011!

    Trust mankind , the end of that first war did not satisfy his thirst for war. The history and lessons of that gory war had hardly settled down in his memory when a second war broke out again. This one was more devastating than the first. Millions lost their lives. More regional wars and conflicts were to follow and peace has taken flight. The world has become one huge theatre of wars.

   Huge slices of National Budgets have been dedicated to manufacturing, procurement and storage of armaments. Submarines compete with whales in all oceans of the world. Space that had remained a virgin is not spared military incursions as ballistic missiles have turned the heavens into its playground. Massive war machines sleep on the surface of oceans bearing fierce looking silver wares called planes. These birds of lucifer take off and land on this ocean boards all the time. Everyone on board is having fun . So it seems except that these exercises are rehearsals for real war.

   The new war strategies aim at efficiency. speed and accuracy. The aim is to inflict maximum damage on enemy target.  No inch of this planet has been spared by nations in their arms race. Even little North Korea has more troops and armaments than all the nations of Africa combined. The norm is to outdo and outpace one another.

 Should arms build up be the priorities of nations when millions of world citizens go to bed hungry every night? IF the first world war had ended in 1918 for good , by today 11/11/2010, the worlds’ citizens would have had a more fulfilled life than what obtains now. The focus should have shifted to improving agriculture and provision of shelter to millions of homeless people. Peace is not as expensive as war. When people have basic needs they wont go looking for trouble.

    World leaders must use this armistice day to stop and think. They must reconnect with their people and listen to them. Majority of people do not want war. Even in America and Europe, their citizens reject war. In communist enclaves and totalitarian states citizens still object to war. God may not have created us to fight wars . If that had been his intention, He would have provided Adam with an AK 47 ab initio.

  For man to consolidate civilization, a new global peace initiatiative is imperative. Eleven Eleven should be the last icon of war and a milestone in the march to an enduring global peace.  

Veterans Day traces its roots to November 11, 1918. Known at the time a “The Great War” World War I ended officially June 28, 1919. When the Treaty of Versailles was signed. Fighting ceased earlier. When a armistice went in to effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day in 1919. May 13, 1938 made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday. Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I. After World War II and with the approval of legislation , Public Law 380. On June 1, 1954, November 11th became, Veterans Day a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Just look at our history. Where would we be without our brave, selfless, and patriotic veterans. We need to salute our veterans and thank them for there service to our nation and to our way of life.

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Image via Wikipedia

When I was a young boy growing up in America’s Midwest back in the 1960s, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents who lived about a mile east of LaSalle, Illinois a town approximately 90 miles southwest of Chicago.

I was there first grandchild and as all grandparents do with their first grandchild they spoiled me a lot. Not just with presents and money, but also getting to spend a lot of time with them. However, one thing that they didn’t spoil me with, as far as all those times I got to spend with them, were many of the values and traditions they instilled in me like remembering Armistice Day, or as it is also called Remembrance Day.

This date on November 11 commemorates the armistice signed by the Allies of World War I and Germany in Rethondes, France for the cessation of the hostilities on the Western Front which took place at 11:00 in the morning-the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. (Although the war might have ended on the western front, fighting still continued in other regions, especially in the former Russian Empire and parts of the Ottoman Empire.

This date was declared a national holiday in many of the allied nations to remember those who had died in “the war to end all wars.”

One of my earliest memories of commemorating Armistice Day-my grandparents always referred to it as Armistice Day-was one of those days when I was visiting them. I must have been six or seven at the time when my grandmother told me about the holiday and what I should do to commemorate it.

A few minutes before 11:00am, my grandmother and I walked outside and then exactly at 11:00, we heard a whistle blowing from the Alpha Cement Mill (it was located just outside of LaSalle) and looked to the east, toward Europe) and observed two minutes of silence for the roughly 20 million people who died in the war. (It wasn’t a holiday for my grandfather who was a refuse collector and worked six days a week.) After two minutes we went back inside and my grandmother did whatever she had been doing before, most likely fixing lunch.

Then of course there was wearing the paper red poppies handed out by Veteran’s groups. The poppies were made by disabled veterans and donations were given to veteran’s organizations.

In later years, I wouldn’t always observe those two minutes of silence exactly at 11:00am on Armistice Day which would be changed to Veteran’s Day after World War II, but I still took time out on the day to remember my nation’s war dead.

These days, Veteran’s Day in the US is similar to Memorial Day (which used to be called Decoration Day). Nonetheless, the day’s historical significance is not lost on its original intent to remember those who had given their lives in the service of our country.

One of the day’s more interesting symbols both in the US and countries like Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand are the red poppies. The poppies significance to Armistice Day was the result of Canadian military physician John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields.” When I was in the seventh grade, we had to keep a notebook with poems we had read and liked. One of the poems I wrote in my notebook was this one.

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In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The poppy emblem was chosen because of the poppies that bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I; the red color symbolized the bloodshed of that war.

This Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or Veteran’s Day I take time out again and remember all those brave men and woman who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. And for the men and women of our armed forces serving around the world today, God Bless you all and watch over you to keep you safe and out of harms way and to come home safely to your loved ones and friends.

Another meaning of poppies from Greco-Roman influence is the promise of resurrection after death. For their culture, the bright colors of poppies (especially red) signify life after death. In many cultures, vibrant red means life and white means death. In most western cultures exactly the opposite is true. A white wedding dress for instance, is common but in part of the east and Asia it signifys death and funerary.

Lest We Forget…

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The remembrance flower of the 53 member states of the Commonwealth of Nations is the papaver rhoeas, also called the red flowered Corn Poppy. This is a weed common throughout parts of Europe. Notably, this common wild flowering perennial is found in Belgium in a place called Flanders Field and was made immortal by the writings of the Canadian surgeon and soldier John McCrae in his poem “In Flanders Fields,” May 3rd, 1915.

Lt. Col. John McCrae had witnessed his friend Lieutenant Alexis Helmer die and the poem he wrote about Flanders Fields gives meaningful tribute to his and other soldier’s deaths during the war. In the poem the poet describes the poppies blowing in the windy field of crosses that marked the place where they were buried. This popular tribute is how the poppy became the symbol of sacrifice for those who fell in war campaigns, battle of World War I and later, in all other wars inclusive.

Remembrance poppies, artificial flowers made from paper or plastic, are sold in many countries during the weeks before Remembrance Day which falls on November 11th. The Remembrance Day observation is for honoring the living veterans of war.

 In the United States the paper poppies are sold prior to Memorial Day, the last Monday in the month of May. The flower as used here are to commemorate the veterans of various wars including the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts as well as both World Wars.

An interesting fact about the Canadian version of commemorative poppy (plastic flower base with black center affixed to the wearer with a common bent pin, shown above) was that in 1980 the Royal Canadian Legion formed a committee to decide changes of design and/or colors of the commemorative token. The traditional black center of the red flower was voted to be changed to green to denote the green grassy fields of France, where the Allies landed. However, this change to a green center in the poppy proved to be quite unpopular with the membership. The green felt had already been purchased in large quantity and was used in Remembrance poppies until the material was exhausted. The popular black center design was by commission reinstated back in the design by decree in 1986 but it was not until the green felt material was exhausted in the year 2002 did the popular black center returned. At this time again, persons not familiar with the change in the 1980s to return to traditional colors  caused some mild debate but the black centers were reinstated and continue in use today.

I vaguely remember the green centers of the Remembrance Day poppies here in Canada but am quite accustomed to the sight of the black centers of Remembrance Poppies and would protest any change of design should it ever be proposed again.

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Restful sleep and honor for the fallen soldiers. Their sacrifices shall never be forgotten. Like the ideals of the soldiers who fought for their nation and its ideals, the Remembrance Poppy shall endure just as the poppies of Flanders Field.

Read more about the life and times of the Canadian soldier, surgeon, teacher and poet Lieutenant Colonial John McCrae here at the Veterans Affairs Canada web site.