Marine Moments

The tide comes in and goes out in rhythm with the moon, measuring time: Measuring lives, birth to death and around to rebirth in the circle of our days. When wars, violence, and disease rip our loved ones from that expected cycle it is like petals from a beautiful rose falling in the wind before it has had a chance to fully unfurl and revel in is own glory.

They leave us behind to feel the cold wind blow through the gaps in our lives where they once stood.

Oh that we could learn from the pointlessness of violence and war to solve problems! Not only grief but we bear the bitter twist of exasperation at our inability to discuss, compromise and find a way forward together.

Nature makes no distinction between individuals, places, boundaries or beliefs. The sea will crash against any surface and erode it to a sand that mixes and blends into earth – on which we all stand.

In this month of memorial let us take some time to take a lesson from nature and reach out to whoever needs help, talk to resolve issues and stand to look out over the sea and remember fondly those who gave themselves in conflict when there was no other option. Let their glory be reflected in what we do, how we treat others. Let our memories of them bloom in us.

Let us remember.

The Act of Remembrance consists of the following:

The Exhortation is recited:

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.

The Last Post is sounded.
(A Piper Lament may be included in Scotland.)

The Two Minute Silence is observed.

Reveille is sounded.

The Kohima Epitaph is recited (optional):

When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

(Taken from the Royal British Legion website)

Sound of the sea today

Listen to the waves while we ponder and reflect with gratitude for what we have received from the sacrifice of others on a battlefield.

Let us unite in working towards peace for all.