Simply Sunday - Remembrance Day Edition

November 11^th is observed throughout the British Commonwealth as Remembrance Day.  It is also Veterans Day in the United States. 

During the ten years that I lived in Canada, I gained an appreciation for the deep, heartfelt, but reserved and reverent patriotism of Canadians.  As in Britain, Remembrance Day is marked with solemn observances in order that those who died in uniform, along with the sacrifices they – as well as all soldiers – made on behalf of their nation, their communities and their families, are not forgotten. 

During the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, rare was the person who was not wearing an artificial poppy from the Canadian Legion in their lapel or on their coat.  This, of course, hearkens to the poem written by Canadian Lt-General John McRae.

Commonly heard at ceremonies throughout Canada as well as Britain and the entire Commonwealth, is a lone piper playing “Flowers of the Forest” – a traditional lament for the dead.

Of course, I also want to honor American veterans of not only World War I, but also of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I have also chosen, however, to honor those men whom history never knew or has forgotten – the gay men who served, lived, loved and, sometimes, died.  On this Remembrance Day, on this Veterans Day, may we recognize the history that is largely unknown and untold, but yet is there, inscribed in the hearts of the men.

Come, my Friend,

From out the silence

Of the seas

And years

Of separation,

Come, and put

Your hand in mine,

Bend down your ear

To hear

Heart beat

To heart,

And feel

The love

That is

Forever thine!

There have been

Smiles, tears

Of vain regret –

Fears not justified,

And yet –

Throughout this time

I doubted not

That you would come,

And claim

That which is yours,

Your heritage.

Kind Destiny

Ordained

That we should meet,

And meeting

Find

That bond of fellowship

So rare,

So beautiful,

Uplifting mind,

Heart and soul

To heights of true

Reality.

It matters not

That tides may flow,

Spring, summer

Autumn, winter

Come, and go

Again;

Love burns,

A flame

Resplendent,

Independent

Of all time,

Space, circumstance,

Ranging,

Enveloping

Each of us

In glory,

And in tenderness,

Sublimity

For all eternity!