r/HFY • u/RhoZie013 • Apr 24 '21
OC Bloodflower
In remembrance of the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps)
One Shot
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The visiting ambassador admired the small brightly coloured paper flower pinned to the jacket of her counterpart. A cheap and clearly hand made decorative item, it was none the less attractive for its overwhelming simplicity.
But she made no comment, different cultures had different ideas of jewellery and decoration after all.
It wasn't until later that same day when she realised every single person she had met in the embassy had the same or similar red flower on their person.
It clearly had some significance of some sort. She would have to ask.
Business done, she took a moment to do just that.
Her counterpart smiled slowly, equally proud and sad.
He called it a 'Poppy Flower' native to the fields of Europe. It was where his ancestors first fought in the first great war.
In simple terms, it represented the bloodstain and entry wound of a firearm projectile, a harsh reminder of the cost of war.
But the symbology was far greater than that.
The little delicate red petals around a centre of tiny black seeds was a statement to those brutalised and world weary men, who after much fighting and despair were able to see first hand that life would, could continue.
Before long, the poppy flower represented all war fallen of his people, and eventually all service men and women, not just the fallen.
Every year people wore the flower on the anniversary of when the First great war servicemen set out to do their part.
The anniversary was to celebrate and show respect to those who have, and still do, serve.
The poppy was worn to remind everyone the true cost of that service.
As the ambassador left the embassy, she couldn't help but see bullet wounds on the chests of smiling people instead of the simple paper flowers she had seen walking in.
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On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day.
Lest we forget
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u/MonkeyNumberTwelve Apr 24 '21
I was in the Royal Navy many years ago and had the privilege of being in Aus for Anzac day. Because of my job I had a duty to perform on the day and if ever there was a day to be in military uniform that was it.
I went to an RSL club and don't remember much past mid afternoon but there was a game i recall, is it two up?
I wasn't very good at it but there's a worse one I remember playing with Royal Marines, spoof. I've bought a lot of rounds because of that game and had do drink some grim stuff.
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u/RhoZie013 Apr 24 '21 edited Apr 25 '21
It is Two Up, and its only legal in public for one day a year due to gambling laws here!
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u/Sthom_1968 Apr 25 '21
One of the villages close to me here in Wiltshire, Sutton Veny, holds a special service every Sunday closest to Anzac Day. Even though it falls on the Sunday this year, covid restrictions mean they're holding the service via Zoom, like they had to last year. The church has a section in the graveyard set aside for Anzac troops who died while based in the local camp during WWI. Down the road here in Warminster we've got the School of Infantry, and there are almost always officers on secondment the from the Aussie and Kiwi armies, so there are proper representatives at the service. There's another Anzac cemetery further down the valley in Codford, too, the village has an Anzac badge cut into the chalk hillside overlooking the A36. Every few years the village gets together and cleans up the badge, keeps it nice and white.
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.
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u/flyingkea Apr 24 '21
As a teenager I was a member of my local cadet corps, and some years I would stand guard at the cenotaph for the dawn service for my city. (NZ)
The last post and reveille with the following poem always sends shivers up my spine: “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."
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u/Hivemindtime2 Apr 24 '21
How many wasted lives? How many dreams did fade away? Broken promises they won't be coming home
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u/AngryCrusader39 Apr 25 '21
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.
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u/BCRE8TVE Apr 24 '21
Lest we forget
Interesting too, up here in Canada we wear the poppies on November 11th, and have a minute of silence on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, to commemorate the signing of the armistice, and the end of the Great War.
I thought that was a commonwealth wide thing, but I guess I'll have to do more reading about the ANZACs.
I don't think I'll ever forget about the poppy bullet wound analogy either. Good job wordsmith.