They shall grow not old,
as we that 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. 
—An extract from the poem written by Robert Laurence Binyon called “For the Fallen”
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On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month we observe a minute of prayer.
Where we remove our hats, and bow our heads in reverence. Taking this moment to silently contemplate and reflect on those who served for our freedom—The Fallen. Those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Those who returned home forever changed. Those who kept the home fires burning while their loved ones marched to war.
For the sacrifices made.
Remembrance Day is a mourning. A lament.
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The timing of this moment of silence coincides with the Armistice (Latin = to still arms) of 1918, the time chosen to begin a truce ending the fighting between allies and the last opponent, Germany, in World War 1. It intrigues and delights me such an auspicious and memorable time and date was chosen to lay down arms. Over the century past, many countries recognise this as a time to remember those who fought and the lives lost.
In Flanders Fields the poppies grow
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.
—An extract from the poem written by John McCrae called
“In Flanders Fields”
May We Remember
Remembrance Day is also known as Poppy Day.
During World War 1, millions of soldiers saw the poppies in Flanders fields in Belgium, and the poppy has become the recognised symbol of remembrance. I believe this icon of poppy infuses all those who witness it with the energetic opiate medicine of euphoric relief.
There is an invitation here with so many souls all falling into silence and an energy of reverence and remembering—a potent container—to expand too this gesture of regard and respect.
To pay respect to the tragic events of war and the lives lost and changed. To reconsider our definition of war to include all conflicts using arms, and to remember our own experiences. For some, the arms may be words, and the war fought in the home. For some, the battle to stay afloat in business, in a price war. Weapons of thoughts, fought in our minds.
The most powerful remembrance is that this time honours peace—the agreement to end conflict.
I have set a permanent reminder in my calendar for Remembrance Day, just before 11am I put my phone on silent, and I stand in silent reverence, bow my head and I remember.
What are you remembering?
In loving service 
