Lest We Forget - Volume 17 www.legionnl.ca 135 A month or so, later, on August 10, 2001, my father passed away. Sad but bitter sweet, as he was struggling, more and more, each day. “I thought he’d live forever, he seemed so big and strong, but the minutes fly, the years roll by, for a father and his son. Then suddenly when it happened there was so much unsaid, No second chance to tell him thanks for everything he’s done.” (17) “With days of uncertainty over, And the long nights of doubt behind, The sailor has reached a safe haven, Where sorrow and pain he’ll not find. The shore leave has all been cancelled, No more ‘tots’ to be drank or poured; The captain has called ‘halt’ to his crewmen, To pipe the sailor aboard.”(18) “They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. 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. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England’s foam.”(19) He put his life on the line, to earn a gift for his family. To live in peace and harmony, free from war, so maddening. Our greatest tribute, should be, to always remember him, for he shattered his soul in youth, to protect our life and limb. “As I walk down the street and look all around, I can see all the good things we have in our town; I can hear children singing and laughing at play, Thanks for the good life we’re living today. Please, God, don’t ever let time take away, The memory of those who fell by the way; Keep that flag flying, the red, white and blue, on Remembrance Day, Dad, we’ll be thinking of you.”(20) Lest we forget, war so drastic. Lest we forget, war so tragic. Let us remember, the bravery of our vets. Let us remember, what my dad could not forget. “I never will forget him, for he made me what I am, I was glad, he was my dad, my hero… my old man…”(17) A Shattered Soul – War takes its toll
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