OUDTSHOORN NEWS - War veterans, dignitaries and family members of soldiers who died in the line of duty in wars since the start of the World War I, held a wreath laying at the Infantry School last Sunday to commemorate fallen heroes.
Armistice Day, also known as Poppy Day or Remembrance Day, is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I, to remember the members of their armed forces, who died in the line of duty.
This day is also recognised as a special day for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries.
Armistice Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of the First World War, on that date in 1918.
The Oudtshoorn MOTH's (Memorable Order of Tin Hats), senior infantry school officers and mayor Colan Sylvester participated in the wreath laying, with an infantry school parade saluting them.
The poem, In Flader's Field, penned by John McCrase at the battlefront on 3 May 1915, during the second battle of Ypres in Belgium has been a part of Poppy Day since its inception.
In Fladers Field
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
ARTICLE AND PHOTO: CHRISTO VERMAAK, OUDTSHOORN COURANT JOURNALIST
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