Remembrance Day

You've probably all read this. I've posted this poem the last two years on Remembrance Day (Veteran's Day) and I think it warrants yet another read. Every Remembrance Day, I realise even more, how very proud I am of my dad.

On this Remembrance Day, 2007, I share with all of you a poem written by a very special person; my father.

He risked his life while carrying out his duty to his country and flying a Lancaster Bomber during World War 2.

He is now 89 and still gets together with his flight crew once a year. His rear gunner just died.

Last year he went down to Trenton to see the unveiling of the Halifax Bomber.

How lucky I am to still have this amazing man in my life.

Thanks for fighting, Dad.

Remembrance Day

Crippled, bent, alone he stays
upon a bench.
No more he plays with children there
upon the square.
It hurts too much for him to bend
to let the small ones condescend
to hear the story
of his glory.
Many years ago they said
as he lay still upon a bed
"You can bet
We won’t forget."
Have we forgotten then so soon
the ones who lived that afternoon
the shelling stopped
and war was not?
Remembering those who died in trench,
forget not him upon the bench.
When passing by give him a break
and stop, and smile and gently shake
his withered hand.
He’ll understand.

By Douglas E. Williams
November 1976
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