Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Concrete Poppies

Miss wearing a poppy this time of year - no such tradition here, where they'd rather forget letting the Nazi's occupy Denmark without so much as a complaint. Normandy is about an hour flight and I think it's safe to say we're a pretty lucky generation to not have to do what those young men had to - not exactly the way a young man should see France for the first time.

Had my own little moment of silence today at 11:11 and have to say that it would be a nice gesture for the locals to show a little respect and display a similar form of remembrance. The official story here is that Hitler didn't give them much choice and was in a piss poor mood when he moved the troops up here - Denmark borders on Germany and was considered a possible location for D-Day. Bunkers remain on the coasts all across the country, perhaps left in place for the next time or as their unique way of remembering what they didn't do - concrete poppies if you will.

2 comments:

Larry Bort said...

For once we agree. We have a veteran who comes around our floor and most of us give $20 for the poppy. I have absolutely no qualms or misgivings donating to such a worthwhile cause. The unimaginable horror that these soldiers went through to fight for the freedom of generations of Canadians to come. Similarly - these Canadian soldiers fighting to keep Afghanistan out of the mitts of the dirty Taliban and al-Quaeda. Hellish, brave choice of existence. I acknowledged their sacrifice with the two minutes of silence - the very, very least one can do.

Rusty said...

Here here.