Remembrance
by Sheila Richards.

My Dad was just a working man,
He never lost a day.
Came home, had dinner, and out again
To earn some extra pay.

But deep inside was another man.
One I did not know.
Until a Normandy Veterans trip
With him I had to go.

“WELCOME TO OUR LIBERATORS”
The banners on high said.
Children with autograph books crowded round
“Please write in here” they said.

I said a trip – how wrong was I.
These elderly veterans brave
Were on their yearly pilgrimage
To visit their comrades’ graves.

Rows upon rows of gravestones,
In peaceful, well-kept plots
Belie the noise and trauma
That must have been their lot.

A sombre service held in each,
There’s a lot of respects to pay
To all the ones who couldn’t come back
To fight another day.

The scenes that they witnessed,
And the trials they went through,
Makes me want to scream something
From beyond the grave to you.

Freedom isn’t free you see,
Someone has to pay.
Never forget to thank your God
It wasn’t you this day.

The Royal British Legion is the countrys largest Armed Forces charity, with 235,000 members, 110,000 volunteers and a network of partners and charities; helping give support wherever and whenever its needed.Like so many things this year, the Poppy Appeal is still reeling from the aftermath and continued implications of COVID-19. The Royal British Legion is calling on the public to support them like never before, because every poppy counts. Funds raised by Mace's Military Network and allies will support the amazing work of the Royal British Legion.