Text 33139, 47 rader
Skriven 2009-06-07 09:44:35 av Ward Dossche (2:292/854)
     Kommentar till en text av Dan Ceppa (1:138/666.0)
Ärende: Re: The Last Time?
==========================
DC> Perhaps the last tine . . .
 
DC> This may be the last time that WWII veterans gather at Normandy.
 
Unlikely.
 
In 2006 there were 2 British veterans from WW1, aged 109 and 110, who attended
the November 11th ceremonies at Menen Gate in Ypres (Belgium) where "every day
at 8pm sharp" since 1927, save WW2, traffic comes to a stop.
 
Every evening at 8.00, buglers from the local fire brigade sound the Last Post.
Except for WW2, this ceremony has been carried on uninterrupted since July 2nd
1928. On the very evening that Polish forces liberated Ypres in 1944 the
ceremony was resumed despite heavy fighting was still taking place in other
parts of the town.
 
One of them stood up and in a crisp voice said the ceremonial words:
 
  They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old.
  Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
  At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
  WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
 
The ceremony is a solemn occasion, and therefore not intended as entertainment
or a tourist attraction, though it has certainly become one. The buglers
usually remain at the scene for a short while after the ceremony, at which
point people can have a chat and appreciation can be expressed in person.
 
Today will be the 27,776th ceremony since 1927.
 
Please visit these links for more info:
 
http://www.lastpost.be/index.php?p=/en/home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menin_Gate
 
The short bugler left-hand on the photo is in the meantime nearing his 12,000th
ceremony, Queen Elisabeth came over in person and honoured him. These guys
hardly take vacation because they feel they have a duty ...
 
I visit a lot of the cemetaries here ... also German, American, French.
Whenever there's a veteran, WW2 of course, I will always approach them and
thank them and their fallen friends.
 
 \%/@rd

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 * Origin: June 4 1989 ... Tiananmen crackdown in Beijing (2:292/854)