Monday 11 November 2013

Rememberance

We went to the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Veterans Memorial today. It was heartening to see so many teenagers and young families turning out. Not so heartening to think they may well have friends and family serving in harm's way right now.



The two minutes of silence was broken by a few baby voices. Born into freedom because of long ago sacrifices. I thought about all the children caught up in war today. Then I thought about soldiers I knew. I worked at a veteran's hospital for a couple of years. Incredible to think there are men who have lived virtually all their lives in care since returning from the front. Not only from WWII  but from Korea and Vietnam too. A man in his late eighties whose shell shock (PTSD) is still so bad any loud noise or being touched from behind will cause him to lash out violently. Another man whose experiences of torture, as a young man, just a boy really, struck him dumb. Decades of silence except for chilling screams when fearful memories take hold, as they do too often. Men so badly wounded, their bodies destroyed, who lay in quiet rooms on hospital beds, year after year after year.  The hospital I worked at specialises in treatment for PTSD in our current returning soldiers. It seems there will never be enough money, staff or military support to meet the need. Sad thoughts but I will remember them at the going down of the sun and in the morning.

8 comments:

  1. Remember indeed. It saddens me to think of what those men and women suffered through for us. I am just grateful and proud of them. Thank you for this post on such an important day.

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    1. I think Nov 11th makes us all a little sad. Perhaps the next day should be for celebrating our freedoms.

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  2. A very thoughtful post, Susan. It is so sad that now, after so many years and wars, deaths, families torn apart, we still continue on as usual. I try to be mindful, as I exercise my rights, that they were hard-won.

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    1. I always vote, it would be terribly ungrateful not to.

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  3. I'm so glad that you too have brought to attention that it's not only those who died (and their surviving family) that we should remember. Beautifully said.

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  4. I agree - a very thoughtful post. We owe so much to those that gave so much.

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  5. A very thoughtful post. Thank you for the remembrances. I am the proud daughter of a veteran who served in three wars. I hope you are having a wonderful week. Bonnie

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