Winning poets announcedThree winners in each of the adult and youth categor-ies of the Honouring Our Veterans poetry contest were announced during a reading session at Haney Place Mall on Remembrance Day.

by Roxanne HooperMaple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES A small but attentive crowd gathered at Haney Place Mall on Friday afternoon to listen to poets of all ages, and from all over the Lower Mainland, read their tributes to veter-ans.The first annual Honouring Our Veterans contest culmin-ated with the readings on Remembrance Day afternoon, and organizer Joe Robinsmith said he was “astounded” by the turnout. “The number of poems received exceeded my wildest imagination… I wanted to thank every poet that entered the contest Honouring Our Veterans,” Robinsmith said.Submissions came from Chilliwack, Surrey, Langley, and – of course – Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. But they also received entries the United Kingdom and Portland, Ore.Applauding all the entries, he noted that the judges had a very difficult time in selecting the winners in both the adult and youth categories.The adult category, in particular, was extremely difficult for the judges, but first place went to Karen Black of Maple Ridge for her poem 11/11/11.Second place was awarded to Kathleen Stubley of Maple Ridge for her poem At the Cenotaph, and third place

went to Juel Breu of Maple Ridge for Remembrance Day. Honourable mention went to Irene McGowan of Chilliwack for her poem, also entitled Remembrance Day.In the children’s category, of which Robinsmith noted he was not a judge, the first prize went to Eliza Crow-Mcallum of Maple Ridge for a poem entitled Soldiers.Second place in this category went to Marlowe Evans of Maple Ridge for her poem Veterans, while Robinsmith’s son Colton earned third place for his poem called A Veteran’s Verse. Honourable mention in this category went to Harrison Hauck of Maple Ridge for the poem Remember.While the success of this year’s event had fortified Robinsmith’s conviction to host the Honouring Our Veterans poetry contest again next year, in partnership with The TIMES, he’s also hoping to host another contest next spring. He’s just now trying to determine the theme.In addition to partnering with The TIMES, Robinsmith said local merchants were extremely support of the pro-ject, offering up prizes for the winners. He sent out a spe-cial thanks to Black Bond Books, Waves Coffee, Purdy’s Chocolate, Town Square Cobbler, and T’s Tea Shoppe. He also turned the spotlight on Helene Levasseur Charron of Holy Wow Poets for being instrumental in the contest’s success and visibility.“ I take my hat off and on bended knee give thanks for your assistance,” he said to all those that helped.

Sylver McLaren/TIMES

Marlowe Evans, 11, read her poem Veterans to a small crowd that gathered for the Honour Our Veterans poetry contest reading and awards at Haney Place Mall on the Remembrance Day afternoon.

11/11/11by Karen Black

November is a tearful monthWhen grey skies cry.

And on Remembrance DayWe too may wipe our eyes As under chill damp skiesAnd sober cloudsWe join the sober crowd.

Each year we hear the guns’ saluteThe skirling of the pipes, the rattle of the drums,Then hear all go stillAs we stand, still and mute.Remembering, in the chill.

He whom I salute did not know me,My name, my face, my identity,He fought and died for me.He’d not foreseeNor bend his mind

To the decades as they would unwindTo me, who asks the how’s and why’sOf war,Yet honours him ‘neath tearful skies.

To fill his mind he had his fearsAnd his soldier skills, be they wanting or bold,And enduring the bloody days, the boring days,And trying to believe that he’dGrow old.

So on this tearful, grey dayWe remember him, and allWho, for reasons grand or small,In conflicts young or old, Far from home did fall.

Remember Meby Alanna Carmichael

Remember mefor more than one day.I served our Countryso you could sit by Hudson’s Bay.

I long for the daywhen mankind can shake each others hand.A day when life itself,is as beautiful as our homeland.

I long for that daybut sadly it won’t come.As I lost my lifeand didn’t even say goodbye to my mom.

I now laywith many men beside me.Flanders Fields they call it,where white crosses are plenty.

Remember mefor more then one day.I served our Countryso you could sit by Hudson’s Bay.

Two Minutes on the Eleventhby Alan Woodland

In the two minutes of silencethere is not time to thinkof the reality of warthe single second it takes to fallthe black hole that is deathTwo minutesmay seem a long timestanding in the windbeneath a thin November sunbut those two minutesendthe piper playsthe trumpet soundsand life resumeswith all its pain and pleasureFor those who died -Their silence is forever

Rememberby Anna Wagner

The 11th of NovemberWe try to rememberThe veterans in wars long passedAnd how we can forget so fast?And start new wars all over again?I bang my head against the wallTechnology, global economy, progress and all..And we still never learned how to get along We never learned how to avoid killing each otherLife is short, so why do we bother To concentrate on issues of greedWhen love of life is all we need…In Flanders Fields poppies grow,In many countries tears flow and flowSo much energy wasted in vainPlanting seeds of hate, causing pain….November 11TH is to remember but also to concentrateTo make sure we don’t repeat the fateOf people killed in order to create,What???A better world, a safer place?I watch the marching veteran’s tired faceAnd fear the complete extinction of the human raceNew wars will pave the wayFor new veterans to march some day…It is time to concentrate toEliminate HateAnd reach an understanding Of some kind of happy ending And educate the young not to glorify warBut peace and the joy of existence Aggression, oppression, mass destruction,Should be replaced by the actionOf educating the massesAmen.

Silenceby Bob Goos

It’s in the silenceBefore dawn Or at nightAs the clock ticks down the momentsOf my lifethat I miss him And remember

Those days that open us to memoryMarching proudly down the streetMedals shiningUniform sparklingBack straight Even at 78MarchingIn that ever dwindling formationOf veteransEach year remembering the one not thereEach year remembering those who neverHad the chance to marchThose who died on distant shoresBreaking their mother’s heartsAs they became our eternal heroes

And after the march, and the drinksAnd the tears and the rememberingWe would go home and in the silenceHe would speakOf silence Broken by the drone of bombers By the scream of death By the sound of gunfire The screech of bombs Inward bound

He would speak of silencesmashed by the noise of warThe shriek of deathThe cacophony of battleThe noise that never left his dreamsFor all these years.

But this year I sit alone in silenceWanting to hear again the storiesWanting to smell again the sweaterWanting to see again the tears well up in his eyesBut today there is onlysilence.

Warby Carolann Vestergaard

The things I saw and what I didCannot be talked about yet there re-livedEvery day they’re on my mindRolling through it, picture framed in time

Horror that will stop you dead in your tracksas you tread, over bodies of your matesas you surge toward the gates

the gates of hell are opened wide Shells exploding at my sidewhat kind of man does this to another?One that you would call your brother?

I was in the parade with pride, medals shinning and at my sidestood a young man not quite twentyWho saw no war but had empathy

How could I tell him what I did?what I saw or how I lived?I’ve been to hell and back I saidthe drum was beating in my head.

The bugle sounded as we marched alongmemories are still very strongof all my friends who have gone before mepaid the price in all their glory

The bugle has stopped all is quietwe pause for a minutefor the great sacrifice.

Rememberby Chantal Gemperle

It’s time to remember those who fight every day,All we can do for those soldiers is pray.What is the purpose, why are they there,For the freedom of their country they care.Is this what it takes in this world to be free,It shouldn’t be like this can’t you see.Freedom should be a gift to all,Without any soldiers having to take the fall.Enough lives lost in the wars to date,Can’t we find peace believing in faith.Too long has this been going on,With too many soldiers from home gone too long.For centuries they’ve gone out there and protect our lives,For their parents, their children and their wife’s.It seems so senseless in this day and age,Why can’t we just turn the page.Bring them back to where they need to be,Back home with their family.For those for whom it is to late to save,Thankful we are for you have been so brave.Let’s never forget for what you’ve done,Fight for us all to enjoy our freedom in the sun.Remember you we will today and forever,Forget what you’ve done we will never.Lets stop the madness and bring on peace for all,You who’ve got the power it’s yours to call.

For Youby Christine J. Logan

To you, who fought and survived the warWe honour you with heart and soulYou gave it your all to save our landThe least we can do, is hold your handWe hold your hand and pray for youBecause our Father wants us toOur Father is waiting to share His gloryWith you and others who share a similar storyYour story is heard, our hearts are gratefulFor all you have done, we love you, we’re thankful.

In Honor of Himby Christine J Logan

In honor of HimI pray for youYou’ve been through a lotYou’ve been far from homeYour journey is overBut you’re never aloneHe waits for youTo give to youHis eternal love and graceYou had His holy spirit hereBut now you live among HimIn His presence with no fearWith my loveAnd in honor of HimTake my prayers with youAnd be free from all sin.

A Veterans Verseby Colton Robinsmith

I wish I had a full time job so I could complain,I wish I had lots of money to spend on myself,I hope that never happens,Or if it does I don’t remember,On the day we all remember,The pain, The fear, The losses,How we hated, how we loved all the more,How white turned to black and black to blood,The red in all of us was not meant to be spilled,We were not meant to be killed,I fear we forget to remember, but more I fear,I fear we forget to forget,We must forget the hate of the past,The hate of the guns, rifles and bombs,We must forget the battles we lost,Because we must know,The ones we won others have lostWe must remember those we lost,We also must remember those we took,...and those that came back.

To War Veteransby Corinne Sawchuk If only we could live in a perfect worldWhere there would be no more warsThere would be joy, love and peaceBut since we live in an imperfect worldThere always are warsWith war veterans – some who became disabledMentally, physically and/or emotionallyIf only we could live in a perfect worldWhere there are no more warsWith no war veterans – none become disabledMentally, physically and/or emotionally

All For Our Freedomby Darlene Stott

Why did you go to war young man,To fight and suffer and die?“All for our Freedom,” the soldier said“Too bad the price was so high.”

Our country is free, but it wouldn’t be,If not for the sacrificeOf the lives of many courageous young men, Who fought to pay the price

We honour those men, both living and dead, And remember what the solder said“All for our freedom” the baddled and died.“All for our freedom!” The soldier cried

You went to the battle fields far from home.Crawling through trenches lost and alone.Dodging the gunfire, hearing the roar,Of the bombs and the air raids, the sounds of the war.

We honour you now, for the job you have done.We’re proud of you now, for the victories won.We give tribute to both the living and dead.And remember what the soldier said.“All For Our Freedom”

We Rememberby Doris Riedweg

As the morning sun is rising over distant woods and plain,Casting rays on silenced battlefields and hills,There beneath the waving poppies, by a quiet shady lane,You rest with comrades, free from earthly ills.

Where you stood just yesterday in your silent hometown street,Planning your future with a sanguine eye,The silence is broken only by the tread of memories feetAnd the tears that fall where still your loved ones cry.

Bravely you went off to war, your life was all you had;The thought of death far from your youthful mind.You marched into an alien world -- a world that had gone mad --For liberty for those you left behind.

God grant that your great sacrifice will not have been in vain --A ransom for the country you called home.And grant that we, your loved ones, will hold you once againWhen we meet in glad reunion at His throne.

No Poppies This Yearby Dudley N. Christian

I’ll buy no poppies this poppy dayHaven’t bought them for many a yearI’ll buy no poppies this poppy dayAnd my reason is simply “I care”I care for a man who once went to warWatched as friends suffered and diedI care for a man who for years enduredWhile dying in anguish insideI care for a veteran who is long forgotA war casualty like all the restI care for a spirit broken and beatWhich walked tall with all of the bestI care for a heart that once did believeIn the right for which he once foughtI care for a heart now broken in griefSeeing the fight really was all for naughtNo I’ll buy no poppies this poppy dayHaven’t bought them for many a yearI’ll buy no poppies this poppy dayAnd my reason is simply “I care”

I’ll wear no poppies this poppy dayYou may call me whatever you willI’ll wear no poppies this poppy dayIn respect for one suffering stillIn respect and remembrance of a tall manWho for his country did offer his allNot knowing or seeing as he forward wentThe realities behind the war callIn respect for a man without a nameNot a number or mark did they keepJust a finger to place on a trigger to pullTo insure their full freedom they’d keepIn respect to a man like others he knewWho lived under the colonials heelMen who died unknown, unremembered unmarkedFor less than human so long was their dealI’ll wear no poppies this poppy dayYou may call me whatever you willI’ll wear no poppies this poppy dayIn respect for one suffering still

I’ll salute no flagstaff this poppy dayNo time I of silence shall keepFor four hundred years of Silence I’ve knownNow no more silent will I let you sleepAwake you who mourn for the wounded and deadThose you in the last wars did losePause awhile in your sorrow and think insteadOf those you’ve ruined with dope and with boozeThink of those who died in the trenches coldThose who often spearheaded the attackThose your Governments failed to in register holdBecause like you their skins were all black

Think of the reasons the enemy you foughtThat a nations Sovereignty be not usurpedThen think of the nations under colonials ruleOf its peoples anguish, pains and its hurtsI’ll salute no flagstaff this poppy dayNo time I of silence shall keepFor four hundred years of Silence I’ve knownNow no more silent will I let you sleep

I’ll offer no prayers on this poppy daySave one that your throne shall downfallI’ll offer no prayers on this poppy dayNor again ‘til my peoples freed allNo prayers from this section will comeNo feelings of sorrow, pain or regretsNo bugle, no trumpet, no taps no drumNo recognition from me will you getFor living and breathing there is a manWho survived where others have diedWho believed “Nothing would be too good” after the warLived six years believing your liesA tall man who thought when the war was thruAnd your freedom again secure layThen you by your promise would free him tooYet still under your yoke does he staySo I’ll buy no poppies this poppy dayHaven’t bought them for many a yearI’ll buy no poppies this poppy dayIn respect for my father so dear

No poppies for me no flag to saluteNo prayers and no silence to shareNo grief for your dead and wounded have IFor no recognition to my peoples you gaveSo look me upon with deep scornful eyeWhen Remembrance Day it draws nighI too am remembering someone I knewWhom you’ve broken and often let cryI too shall remember the years he did giveThou you failed e’en to mark down his nameLike so many others of his race and kinYou for his skins shade made him ashamedYou promised in lies like you’ve always dealthHis freedom for self and for landBut once you your freedom saw resecuredHe again became just a Black manSo sell me no poppies this poppy dayAsk me not in your prayers to bend headFor no tribute I owe to your wounded or lostWhen I think of my unlisted deadNay no tribute I owe to your wounded or lostWhen I think of my father your living dead… All my living dead

Soldiersby Eliza Corw-Mcallum

Bombs and grenades heard in the pastMemories of war still clear and vastWe are gone, gone farawayTo Flanders’ Fields where the poppies still swayAnd now we lie without a doubtWe need our family, our friends, our petsTo tell them we’ve payed our unforgotten debtsWe gave them our love, our strength, our livesThough we died at the end from very sharp knivesWe are past; we are goneWe’ve been in a war all alongLike a wind in the nightWe put up a fightWhen we came, we were just here to sayWe are the soldiers of remembrance day

From a Foreign Brotherby Freda du Plessis

You left your homeland and your familyto help a stranger save hisYou carried the burdenOf this foreign brotherAnd side by side in a sandy bunkerWe bledBecause you believedThat it would make a difference

Thank you my brotherYOU did!

The Demons of Warby Gary John Redmond

Lest we forget those brave men of WarThey fought for our freedom, for valour and more!

For those who gave their lives on the battle fields For those crossing the Atlantic & Pacific Seas

Death, destruction, fear and hatred for someFor many pain, hunger and loneliness

Routine of day by day lives for theseBrave men, brave women who fought for our freedoms

Lest we forget those that died at WarBrave too are these soldiers now

After the carnage of war Like the roots of a dieing tree

They battle on! With the demons of warTo grow again and heal with time

Their broken limbs and their lost souls Given proudly for their country

For you and for meDay by day they battle the demons of war

For many soldier their story untoldOf life now gone to hell,

Of sickness, depression, nightmaresThey won’t share their fear, their horror, they won’t tell

Lest we forget the memories of those that died thereYet forget not!

These survivors of warThey soldier on

Now living as friends and neighbours Heroes in our community pond

Heroes left to battle more The Demons of War

What Happened? by Gary John Redmond

“What happened during the War”?I inquired bright eyed, knowing little of the pastAn inquisitive young boy sitting on his father’s kneeHe was drunk as could be

Eyes glazed and brain full of hateNow enraged, loud, angry… “Why do you ask”? Father saidI felt a muscle in his leg tense as he shook me for a bit!I held my mouth shut staring at the sweat upon his browHis face went pale for a moment then turned bright red

The silence and darkness of his glare made me feel queasy “The War”! His blue greyish eyes pierced my flesh “The War”! His voice echoed tremors down my spine.Frightened, horrified I cried feeling uneasy

As the saliva formed round his mouth I confessI wanted nothing of this war that woke the dead He was a bright young man of seventeen He wanted to fight for the Canadian teamA gifted Morse Coder put in charge of a whole naval fleetI expected war stories of courage and valour not of defeat

What he replied in his drunken way? “So many ships downed, all drowned into the cold cruel Sea”Suddenly I flew across the kitchen floor As father spoke no more then flung me from his knee

My father at 17 served his countryCanada during World War Two

He lost his battled to the Demons of War, three decades agoIt is difficult to forgive his sins as the Demons of War often Win.Rest in Peace, John Allen Redmond

Rememberby Harrison Hauck

Five thousand people jump up and downJust doing what they have been toldFor fear of being executed they’ll do it until they’re old The sargent with an iron fist around their bloody necksshouts all of his commands of bigotry and hatred

His loud voice booming over the mountainsThey train and train for the upcoming warpJust to die and the cycle to repeat for many years to comeSome will make it, many will leave their lives behind

To cross into that Neverland we talk so much aboutWith bombs flying and bullets grazing their broken bodiesThey’ll fight on to save our lives

But no one cares, they worry themselvesAbout petty looks and petty problemsoTheir lost souls will never be remembered for good

We gather annually to remember for two brief minutesJust to go upon our days like nothing has ever changedThe only evidence of their pain and sufferingLies within the letters and poemsThat were written in their own barracks

And with that stated I truly hopethose men and women who went and died in the warShall be glorified in our hearts forevermore

In Memory of Youby Helene Levasseur Charron

I do not know much about youAnd yet I’m celebrating HeroesIt’s Remembrance DayMy soul feels youI owe you my lifeI owe you my freedomI want to be as strong as youThrough frightful weatherOr unknown territoryYou moved forthWith strengthAnd dignityAnd honorYou shook and trembledBut never gave upYou feared for your lifeBut your mission was to save meFrom any wars or conficts to beI know you can read meWhether from up aboveOr here on earthSo I take this opportunityTo thank you wholeheartedlyFor taking me out of any traumaOr any unimaginable tragedyAs I live in triumph because of youA million thanksFor being my defenderWithout any promotionsPlease know that I love you.

November 2012 Remembering Our Vetsby Helene Levasseur Charron

It’s not just here, there but everywhere on earthThat we are celebrating about people with honorT’is Remembrance Day about the living and the deadThose I never met chose to go and secure our freedom

Soldiers known and unknown did fight to winGiving us all liberation of all wars and conflictsRisking their lives praying for strength and triumphWith fire and passion without being given promotions

Bravest of the bravest they went through thick and thinRegardless of unknown territory and frightful weatherSometimes they were in the midst of terror and horrorA Million sacrifies made for us all risking many tragedies

Every moment was filled with trauma of what’s forthcomingThrough every battle fought they thought of always livingThousands moved forth remembering this quest to conquerOver every fear that perhaps they would not be remembered

Many times they shook and trembled but at the same time prayedSo families and other loved ones would make their service worthyThe care and support they have brought us must be returnedWith thanks and glory for having suffered with so much dignity

Freedom and peace the veterans gave unrelentlessly as a giftThe experience that they went through is unimaginable for usLet us pray for our nation to be removed from any turmoilAnd celebrate Remembrance Day honoring our true Heroes.

Words from vetsby Helene Levasseur Charron

Well you must be surprisedWe know that we are tooThought we’d ask you a favorWe hope it’s not too muchComing from a Heavenly RealmAs we observe you

Thought we’d go NationalTo make this news worthyCould you honor us vetsBy making a Special DayFor every young soldierWho is inevitably a heroe

That’ every one of themWhether dead or aliveYou have no ideaHow much they think of homeThrough every battle foughtIt’;s a coup done for you

Thank you for keeping them aliveIn your thoughts and prayersYour constant lettersYour emails and callsYour love and compassionFor their services

Honor them on Remembrance DayThe living and the deadWe will celebrate itNear or farA Remembrance of HeroesServing you.

November we rememberby Helen Levasseur

Honoring our military vets at the ACT Theatreis indeed a sincere moment for us to treasurewhat a great means of a thankful exposureexpressing inner thoughts to rememberthis is indeed around Remembrance DayThe old living and deceased soldiers saywe served our country in every wayit was our duty to never go astraymany devoted ones would start by prayingas this re-inforced them never staggeringt’was their quest to protect every siblingfollowing the rules always regimentingwhat an honor to have them recognizedby genuine folks so deeply wholeheartedhaving this joy, peace and harmony handedby these vet soldiers to be highly acclaimedoh canada our home and native landwas protected by each veteran bandmay we celebrate this day and understandand bring poppy plants to the flowerstandmany thanks indeed for saving us allfrom any harm or hindrances or pitfallremembering you who hold the bugle-callof hearts, minds and souls who carry all.this is a November we will remember!

Memoriesby Inez Daly

Shouts, screams, pain and hurtBlur my mind. I can not leave My memories dead.

Buried underneathCrimson poppies, my comradesWill sleep peacefully.

And now, because youAnd countless others have diedOur country is free.

Free from all bondageFree from terrorism, andFree from any war.

My friends, I will see You on the other side. InFinal peace you rest.

I will never leaveAny memories behindI will remember. I will rememberYou forever. MemoriesOf you will live on.

Remembrance Dayby Irene McGowan

Dear little child, you cannot knowAbout that war so long agoAnd Flanders Fields where poppies blow.

This was a war to end all war,To keep good Freedom at our door,And bring a peace forevermore.

But maybe you have learned by chanceAbout the bloody sands of France,When allies made their last advance.

These soldiers learned, as those before,That no one really wins a war;They wanted peace forevermore.

But Peace seems weak and War seems strong.Man wars today, though right or wrong;The peace we seek takes much too long.

“Lest we forget” the first ones said,A cry still echoing from the dead,“Bring to the world a peace instead.”

Remember them, as we before;Remembrance Day their pledge restoreAnd make world peace forevermore.

Innocence Lostby Jade Soon

He was only nineteen and just starting his lifeAn innocent man with a very young wife.

He had hopes and dreams like you and meTo raise a loving family of maybe two or three.

But the world had other plans for this young ladThere were conflicts abroad and everyone was mad.

So he joined the army for he needed to showWe would not be defeated by enemy or foe.

And suddenly he was thrust upon the battlefieldAgainst a mighty enemy who was tough and would not yield.

Imagine the horror and bloodshed he facedAs each comrade fell dying, their vibrant life erased.

I wonder what this brave soldier would have to sayIf he could see the anger and chaos in the world today.

Would he wonder if all his efforts were for nought?All the wars and conflicts courageously fought?

Our freedom you know came at a heavy priceAs Canadian soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice.

So don’t squander the life with which you’ve been blessedOr the souls of the fallen will never be at rest.

All We Need Is Love On Earthby Jane Tremain

All we need is love on this earth…Gone but not forgotten…

For every fallen soldier,Who died in a foreign land,To protect our freedom and liberty,United we shall stand.

They always had a good attitude,Their hearts pure and true,They have earned our gratitude,For a hero we see in you.

No matter what they still shall fight,For that is what they do,A spark of hope they shall ignite,The dream of peace, they pursue.

Today America & British thanks you all,For all that you have done,Together we have stood so tall,One nation, one family, one son.

Fathers are shipping outWhile young children pout

They’re going over there.Fighting a war, our soldiers proud and free

WMD’s? I’ve only seen three.Two thousand deaths and climbing more,

Families torn apart, they don’t want war anymore.When will THEY come home?

When will war be done, over and through,When will the bloodshed stop, will we ever live it through?

How much more must our country endure?While our soldiers fight for the free,

Will we ever be able to pay back the deed?Death is a price that must be paid,

Sometimes heavy sometimes light.Soldiers are brave and proud to win the fight.

The fight that took the towers down,The war that caused our lives to spin around.

Now as our flag is waving high,Soldiers coming off the plane.

We are proud for their fight today.The war is over, all is won

Is peace finally found, are we done? so now all we need is love not WAR

Veterans – A Poemby Jason Humber

Lets never forget the love and the passion for our fallen and with their heads held high and the greatness with every step the year goes by. Never forget the strength and mighty with our Vets.. a run for the dove of love an always upward battle that in the end we will never forget them but always Remember.

Standby Jennifer Low

Why do we stand here year after year?To honour those that someone held dear.On a day often bitterly cold and wet,Our chance to thank every soldier and vet.

Our men and women who willingly serve,we imagine them ready with a steely nerve.Forgetting how human and scared they must be,leaving behind friends, home and family

Fearing not only what lies ahead,but not being home also fills them with dread.Days they will miss weigh heavy on their mind.Who will protect those that they’ve left behind?

Reminded the world still needs a hand,In helping those is a far away land.In crisis, disaster, peacekeeping and war,our roll is never ending the world always needs more.

Why do we stand here year after year?Some for the spectacle some shed a tear.To think about war, present and past,and hope for the future and a peace that will last.

It Reminded Me of Flanders FieldsBy Jenny Schweyer

It reminded me of Flanders Fields,The river of poppies flowing by,Adorning those who served and foughtTo defend our peace and security.

The bagpipes played and stately theyIn somber homage kept their time,While those who loved and those who lostDid lay their wreaths the monument by.

They went young, but came back old.Wiser, sober, not from ageBut battle weary did they grow upMany years before their time.

Some saw their comrades fall and dieAnd so they march in honour thus.Save for their sacrifice would weHave not freedom without fear.

Proudly do I wear my poppyIn gratitude of those who march,Whether to remember or to warnThat Flanders Fields are everywhere.

Canadian Heroes Never Dieby Jimmy T. Tan Praises be… Soldiers that did not dieBut sped away to a glorious highImbibed within my heart, the throbbing of your love is nighYour gift of uncommon valour enthroned upon the skyYour name is sung: “The Strong and Free…True North Forever Be.”Beneath the aura of the maple treeYour pledge fulfilled, your voice echoed: “I stand on guard for thee”“For thee” this flame of promise now I holdFrom the Rockies to the Plains, From shore to shore beholdYour gift of victory our nation now upholdFrom one selfless fellow, untold crown of glory now unfold.It is because of me that you fell;It is because of you that I walk.

Remember, Rememberby Joe Robinsmith

At dawn’s first light the first shot rangAcross the mud and trenchesFollowed by the whine overheadOf mortar shells released to fallOn soldiers indiscriminateIt matters not who lives or diesTo gain a few hundred feet of groundAdvancing up another hillOr into another foreign town.

World War One was a battle slowFought on horses with guns and bayonetsWorld War Two slogged on four yearsMustard gas and bombed out citiesToo many fronts to countRussia, Asia and the English ChannelIn British Columbia they stood on alertFor submarines from across the oceanEnding with the dropping of a mighty bomb.

Remember, remember, we say each yearRemember those that fell and diedRemember how they fought so bravelyRemember that war to end all wars.Remember, remember we ask our childrenRemember that your great grandfather diedRemember we say as they parade byRemember we ask them as they color poppiesRemember, remember November eleventh.

The war to end all wars they claimedThere would be no more bloodshedUntil the Cold War began Not five years after that mighty fightCommunist bloc and Western alliesCuban missiles and Korean war.Vietnamese jungles And napalmed villagesWhere all paid the price with sanity.

When will it stop this constant bloodshedAnd for what we always ask ourselvesThat time it was for land and moneyNext time it’s over politics and landThis time it’s oil and control of production.When man can live in peaceWith enough of everything for all Only then can our children not fearThat they will have to stand and fight again.

Remember, remember, we say each yearRemember those that fell and diedRemember how they fought so bravelyRemember that war to end all wars.Remember, remember we ask our childrenRemember that your great grandfather diedRemember we say as they parade byRemember we ask them as they color poppies

Remember, remember November eleventh.

It is harder each and every yearThere are fewer and fewer left behind.Gone on to heaven to join their matesThose who died and lay in Flanders FieldsThey sell the poppies and stand on guardBut to their children’s children’s childIt all sounds like stories old and wornToo much news of soldiers still dyingOverseas attempting to bring peace.

Peacekeepers now in bright blue Driving in desert sand aboard humveesGuns poised and ready to shootAt children wearing vests of shrapnelA simple soccer ball turned deadlyBecause no one wants us to interfereDemocracy is just a wordAn ideal that means so little both there and here.We stand on guard for thee they say

Who stands on guard for them I askWho will bring these soldiers home againWho will remember them in times to comeThere are no parades for returning heroesWho will cheer and hug them tightOther than their little ones and wivesI cannot watch the tv reportsAnother soldier has died, but whyWho will remember, remember them

– Since Joe was the organizer of this poetry contest, none of his poems were entered into the competition, but he wanted to offer this up for the readers

Honouring Our Veteransby Joe Robinsmith

The years weigh heavily upon himTime slowly crushing his memoriesOn this day which comes every yearHe finds an inner strength to stand tallRemembering how his comrades fellThere was little glory, lots of bloodThe movies they make cannot revealThe mud, the stench, the screams and tearsNo actor can properly portrayThe hellfire that rained upon themHe’ll stand tall and salute lost friendsThose who died overseas and at homeThe ones who lost a limb or perhapsThey lost so much more, their minds were tornAnd if you see a tear roll down his cheekIt’s not weakness or even sadnessSimply the knowledge that someday soonHe will rejoin them in that grand marchAcross the heavens where glory reignsAnd accept God’s forgiveness once thereFor fighting a war for freedom allGenerations now still benefitBut do they remember, rememberThe eleventh of NovemberA day to honour those who servedOverseas and at home they’ll standGive thanks to those who protect our rightTo democracy and free speech.We stand and salute you warriors braveYour war is over, we will not forget

Remembrance Dayby Juel Breu I remember a manLarger than life,Who held me on his kneeAnd told me stories.A hard working farmerWith calloused, gentle handsA handsome man in uniformI thought was indestructible. I remember I cried when he had to leave“to fight for my country”,He used to say.I remember standing On the station platformOn a cold October dayWatching the train pull away. It was the last timeI felt his strong armsLift me high.The last time I heard his voiceWhen he said “Good-bye”.So when the trumpet Pierces the silence,With “The Last Post” echoing, sadI remember these things very clearlyI was nine years old.He was my Dad.

At the Cenotaphby Kathleen Stubley

I never knew your nickname,I never called you friend -In fact, I wasn’t even bornWhen your life came to an end...

And yet on each Remembrance DayAs one of a sombre crowd,I stand beside the cenotaphAs the names are read aloud...

And I think of the youthful faces;Of the boys in soldier clothes...Saying ‘goodbye’ to Haney town -Off to adventure, I might suppose...

Each eager marcher soon to learnThe sorry truth of war...The noise, the fear, the days and nightsBeing hungry, tired, sore....

Did you despair and cry aloudto Heaven, on your knees?Did the thoughts of home and loved ones thereBring you any ease?

And when death came was a buddy near?Or did you face that trial alone?I cannot tell, I only knowYour name is carved in stone.

Because you served, because you diedMy life is pleasant here -My sons and daughters, and grandkids now,Can grow up without fear...

So I will come with grateful heartEach 11th of NovemberAnd when your name is read, my unknown friend,I’ll weep...and I’ll remember.

For I am 21by Keith Wood

Oil on the waterIce on my shipZig-Zag Zig-ZagChip Chip Chip

Will I survive?Will I survive?Yes, for I am 21

Moon-lit nightBeam of lightBlack smoke aroundGet out! Get out!My pilot shouts.Plunge into darknessParachute above

Will I survive?Will I survive?Yes, for I am 21

Caught in the openFace down in a fieldRRIP of machine gunShrapnel on stoneThe cries of my wounded.

Will I survive?Will I survive?Yes, for I am 21

Home on the Rangeby Linda Mills

Though seldom home still my feet can guide Where even unseen I would know the pathSo many times I came this way to hide

The stones, the moss, the rabbit’s runThis last chalk hill stepped cathedral wideAgainst my hair the mist warmed by the sun

Now hear a burst of pain from low altitude bombsWhere patchwork craters blow smoke into the windTo fill with next week’s rain becoming moorland ponds

Jet wash ripples wild flowers as they passBright shrouds for rusting frames and other victimsOnce a flock of dead birds in the grass

Helicopters crisscross like frantic toads leapingFrom place to place with their base tonesShredding memories to leave me weeping

the Enemy Within by Linda Mills

A man died again last nightAnd every night for years beforeAlways afraid of his never ending war

A man died again last nightOn a city street, his jungle dark and dimWhere all the angry ghosts still followed him A man died again last nightStruggling with his desperationsStill bleeding for his careless nation

A man died again last nightAt the hands of his brothers in blueNow his pain has become their pain too

Sacrificesby Linda Mills

StandingOn the hillsideWaiting for the last tapsSo many stones rememberingThe dead

ParentsAnd siblings lieIn soil they would defendOthers lived to love while these gaveTheir all

We willnot weep for themBut treasure what they gaveAnd pray for those who still stand atTheir backs

God giveUs strength to holdWhat others paid to keepOur freedom is the voice that mustBe heard

Veterans poemby Lisa Sullivan

I take a moment to reflect,on how I start my days.I greet the day with an awful scowlat the sight of the wind and rain.

I take a moment to reflect,as I sit here and complainthat brave men and women fought for me,to stand safe here in the rain.

I take a moment to reflect,my life today; my every breath,has been a gift of sacrafice,from every soldier who fought our fight.

I take a moment to reflect,as I kiss my kids goodnight,theres’ a soldier up in heavan,who wished they had that chance tonight.

I take a moment to reflect,as Autumn comes to call,each beautiful bright red maple leaf,in memory of each soldier, falls.

Remember All Year Roundby Lorre Gibson

Go to the fields of FlandersTo where the scarlet poppies blowBetween the snow white crosses, Row on row on row.

The winds that kiss the poppiesHold the long-lived ghostsOf those who spilled their bloodOn this bleak and lonely coast.

Go to the sands of Iwo Jima.Stand silent where the flagWas raised by men right valiant,Then slowly worn to rags.

Think about the bravery,The calls for Mom or wifeThat many a dying warrior gaveBefore surrendering life.

In November, we rememberAll the heroes who have died,But do we take time to rememberThe heroes still on this side?

Remember with humble gratitudeThe ones who cannot forget.Every comrade lost to warHaunted them in memory yet.

Give them the honour they so well deserve.It’s a very small gift to giveTo those who were willing to pay the priceSo that we, in freedom, might live.

Standing erectby Marilyn Christian Standing erect in pressed uniformAgainst November’s wind and cold,With vivid poppy pinned on their chest,With stories kept secret, or told...

Remembering buddies, so long gone,Looking beyond, with haunted stareTo distant lands, where too many fell.How many at home really care?

Every year they stand wondering,With each new generation, more...How many really do comprehendThe price of war, the lives it tore?

Rememberby Marlowe Evans

Freedom is the ability to move without fear,to go through with your dreams and to live in a safe place under the roof of your own home.These are things that the veterans of Canada have given us- sacrificed.People should think of this gift more than just in November -a splash of red on a left lapel and the rattle of a coin in the bottom of a canScant phrases of Flanders- Veterans are the people who made it possible to live in peace and harmony.Remember….

Whom Are We Remembering?by Mary W. Ng

When we gatherEach Remembrance Day,Whom are we remembering?

Young boys who enlisted and died.Their lives cut short,Their dreams destroyed.

Intrepid soldiers killed in distant battlefields.Their bodies buried in foreign soil,Their valiant deeds forgotten.

Wounded soldiers in hospital beds.Their limbs broken.Their world shattered.

Prisoners of war held captive in prison camps.Many of whom perished,Many brutally tortured.

For those veterans fortunate enough to return home,Their lives would never be the same.They are forever scarred by the horrors of war.

To all these brave men and womenWho gave their lives to give us liberty,We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Let us not forget, however,That war is not the solution to a conflict;Love is.

Despite our outward differences,We are all the same inside.We crave love, peace, and a sense of belonging.

Let us make a pledge on this Remembrance Day:To be merciful to each other.When mercy is our guiding principle,War will be no more.

Rememberanceby Sharon Noel

The water runs red with the blood of the deadand the screams of the living fill the air.These memories and more, of the horrors of warblacken the souls of those who fought there.

Many families will suffer and life will become rougherin countries all over the Earth.Some people ask “Why?” They get no answer and sigh:“This war makes no sense and has no worth.”

But remember they do and, yes, so should youeach year on the day set aside.Eleventh of November is the day to remember,and bring life back to those who have died.

Remembrance Day by Trudy Davies Remembrance Day, established a long time agoTo honour the fallen, to let new generations knowThe sacrifices made, and so many lives paid.Our freedom won in wars under the sun and dark night raid. Again and again people have offered their lives to protect and ensure others survive.As we remember actions of the dead and the brave,Practice diligence for peace of the world to save. Too many lives are lost.Evil demands too high a cost.Absence of love allows evil to growSo let us make sure love will flow. Respect ones who have gone before.Care for each other, seek justice for more.Remember past lives given, by living for peaceAnd walk with compassion ‘til wars finally cease.

Special thanks to all the sponsors and all the participants,

and especially to organizer Joe Robinsmith and

Sylver McLaren/TIMES

A few dozen people gathered at Haney Place Mall on Friday, Nov. 11, following the local Remembrance Day ceremonies, to hear local poets read their poems. This was the first of what organizer Joe Robinsmith hopes will become an annual Honouring Our Veterans poetry contest.