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Remembrance Day
A short story by AI  Fields of Remembrance In
the small town of Glenwood, every Remembrance Day was a solemn occasion
marked by a parade that wound its way through the narrow streets.
The town's memorial, a stoic granite cross, stood proudly in the center, surrounded by a sea of red poppies. Elderly veterans, their chests adorned with medals earned in battles long ago, stood side by side with young cadets, a symbol of the continuity of sacrifice. The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and respect as the community gathered to honor those who had given their lives for the cause of peace. Jim, a weathered veteran in his eighties, meticulously placed a wreath at the base of the memorial, his eyes reflecting the memories of comrades lost. A dove, released by a local school's children, soared above the gathering—a symbol of the peace they all sought. The parade began with a hauntingly beautiful melody played by the town's brass band. Soldiers, young and old, marched in unison, their boots echoing a cadence of both strength and remembrance. The streets were lined with spectators, each wearing a poppy, the small flower a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made. As the parade approached the memorial, the crowd fell silent, a profound hush settling over the town. The mayor stepped forward, a flag in hand, and spoke of the bravery that echoed through the annals of time. She spoke of sacrifice, of the flag that draped the coffins, and the families who bore the burden of loss. In that moment of stillness, the wind gently rustled the leaves, as if the spirits of the fallen were present, acknowledging the gratitude of the living. The day concluded with the laying of wreaths by families who had lost loved ones in recent conflicts. The town, with tear-streaked faces, stood together in unity, a mosaic of generations bound by a shared understanding of the cost of freedom. As the last notes of "The Last Post" echoed through the air, a quiet peace settled over Glenwood. The community, though small, held a great reverence for the significance of Remembrance Day—a day to honor, remember, and reflect on the price of freedom and the importance of peace. What is a "Poppy"? A poppy is a flower that is often used as a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in wars. This tradition began after World War I when poppies began to grow on the battlefields where soldiers had died. The red color of the poppy symbolizes the blood that was shed during these wars. A Poem on Remembrance Day by John McCrae In Flanders fields, the poppies grow Amidst the crosses, row on row A symbol of those who gave their all And answered when their country called We remember them on this day And all they did to pave the way For peace and freedom to prevail And for our nation to never fail So let us honor those who've gone And keep their memories living on For they are heroes, one and all Who answered when their country called. |
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