May We Always Remember ...

11.11.11

This is a photo of Corporal Reginald Ells, my Grandfather, otherwise known to myself and our family as "Papa!"  He served from November 1941 to 1945.  First on an American Task Force to the Pacific, then in Italy, France, Holland, Germany, and the UK with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment.  We are so fortunate that he was one that returned home and that he is still with us today.  Many never did return and today, there are many, many more making sacrifices for our freedoms; too many giving their lives.  My family and I were blessed and honored to participate in the Remembrance Day Ceremonies today.  May we always remember.
  

Through a Child's Eyes

~Kelsey Lee Adler

Through a child's eyes, they saw the glory;

The medals and stars, shining like beacons in the night.

Through a child's eyes, they saw the power;

The tanks chewing up ground, cold metal monsters.

Through a child's eyes, they saw heroes;
The few, the strong, the proud.

Through a child's eyes, they saw the world;

The blues, the greens, so clean and pure.

But when they arrived, they no longer saw through the eyes of a child.

Through a man's eyes, they saw the destruction;

The death of men and futile dreams.

Through a man's eyes, they saw the pain;

Pleading men, begging death, sobbing women, praying for mercy.

Through a man's eyes, they saw their lives;

So close to ending, living only for the next moment, living only by the breath they drew.

Through a man's eyes, they saw the truth.

We were not there, and now fall empty tears.

Through blood and hell, through pain and war, they went.

For our freedom.

For our lives.