Friday 11 November 2011

Armistice Day / Remembrance Day

On the very edge of our tiny French village (pop 185) there is a quiet cemetery looking out over what were battlefields during the Great War. Today is Armistice Day here in France, when those who fought and died in the First World War are remembered (World War Two has its own Remembrance Day in May).

Most of the soldiers here are Scottish (with some American) and a long way from home, but each November, a lone piper leads a tiny parade from the church at one end of the village to the cemetery. It's very emotional and touching that almost 100 years after their deaths, these brave young men are still remembered. Long may it continue.

An inscription in the cemetery reads:

 "Here the noble thistle of Scotland will flourish forever amongst the roses of France"




Former battlefield
Piper

2 comments:

  1. ElianaNovember 11, 2011 12:50 pm

    I dedicate my deepest respect.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MiniLoverNovember 14, 2011 4:23 am

    I found the American cemetery at Normandy to be immensely moving as well. My husband's grandfather liberated Metz during WWII so seeing the maps and the graves of so many was very emotional.

    Thanks for sharing this event with us.

    Sophia

    ReplyDelete

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