Remembrance
On Monday morning, I was out of the house at 10.45 prompt. I was in a hurry to reach our local war memorial before the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. This has become an annual ritual for me. The first year I went up to Ecclesall war memorial, I stood there on my own for the two minutes of silent remembrance. This year there were five other men. We didn't exchange any words - just stood there in that bright autumn morning paying our respects to those who gave their tomorrows for our today. For the past three years, I have taken fist-sized beach stones with me. Upon them I have written in permanent marker: "Lest We Forget". I put this year's stone on the memorial's plinth, hoping it might remain there for a full year but it never has. Close by is All Saints Church which stands proud upon the ridge, overlooking this hilly city. You can see it from miles away. Affixed upon hessian to a churchyard tree was a wreath of knitted poppies - ...