We have only died in vain..... by neiwil
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
We have only died in vain if you believe so,
You have to decide the wisdom of our choice,
By the world which you shall build upon our headstones,
And the everlasting truth,which have your voice.
Though dead,we are not heroes yet,nor can be,
Til the living by their lives which are the tools,
Carve us the epitaph of wise men,
And give us not the epitaph of fools.
(David J Phillips, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment / 101st Airborne Division)
I was looking for something to mark Remembrance Sunday.A few years ago I was fortunate to take a trip to Belgium with my son, on a Battle of the Bulge Tour.The gratitude and respect of the people of Belgium is quite awe inspiring.It seems like every City, town and village has it's memorial...usually dominated by a Panther or Sherman tank, they're everywhere.Needles to say photographs abound and there in lay my problem, which one ? Well with you're indulgence I will post several over the next few days..each has a story..one in particular does not reflect 'heroic' deeds, but each should serve to remind us all of what has been,not just in Belgium, not just in WWII, but down through the years to the present, to today and undoubtabley tomorrow....
The image above is the marker for the Temporary American Cemetry at Foy.During and after the Battle of the Bulge 2,071 young Americans were laid to rest in this field.They were taken up in 1948 and laid to eternal rest at the U.S Cemetry at Henri-Chapelle, along with 5,921 of their comrades.
To the left of the center section you can see a church tower in the trees, that is the chapel of the German Military Cemetry, resting place of 6,810 young Germans.Ideology aside this one photo marks the resting place of almost 9,000 young men, every one a Mother's son, the 'harvest' from one battle,during one winter, in one small country.......
Comments (13)
fly028
Good sometimes to remember the price of the liberty.... Very nice photo anyway. Thanks
bmac62
A perfect choice for Remembrance Day...having visited throughout the Ardennes battlefields with a retired Belgian Lieutenant Colonel as our guide...there are so many choices, so many monuments and memorials that I am glad to see you found one I've not seen. I'll look forward to your other photos from there!
dbrv6
Excellent
flavia49
wonderful
preeder
Great imaage to mark Remembrance Day Neil - well done mate.
Froggy
Very touching post mate and worthy of reflection at this time of year. I always think of my grandfather, who was a Chief Petty officer on a Destroyer, fighting the Japanese in WWII. He survived the war, but rarely talked about any of his "Adventures" to me and the few times when he did, there was always a little sadness in his eyes.
flipomucho
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... John McCrae (1872-1918) ... another war, the same men. Thank You.
debbielove
As with my other comment, well said.. Too many sons, who never wanted to be there in the first place, who never wanted to die.. I look forward to your posts to come, thanks for this.. Rob
T.Rex
Thanks Neil. None of those young boys wanted to be there, to loose a limb, to loose their lives. The leaders sent them, as lines on a map, to shift a front line on the map. The same leader mentality we have in governments and politicians today. When will humans ever learn? Memorials are to preserve the memory of the victims but also of the horrors of something that should NOT be repeated. The Belgians in the countryside have the right idea - remind, remind, remind ... no more ever again. Nice photo. Particularily striking with the flags from both formerly opposing countries.
jac204
Great tribute.
danapommet
This one was hard to read my friend but so true. A great photo and share.
kjer_99
I like your very balanced commentary.
shamstar
Very powerful. Great stuff.