Lest we forget
I tried to explain Remembrance Sunday to Natan today. How do you explain it to a nearly four year old in the simplest possible way? Well here goes. I began:
“Nati, today is a very special day. Do you want to know why?”
“Yes mummy.”
“Have you seen those red flowers that people are wearing on their clothes?”
“Yes mummy.”
“Well, they are called poppies and we wear them to remember the good people who died fighting in the war to save us. Today is called Remembrance Sunday and we remember all those people today.”
“Because they died mummy?”
“Yes darling.”
“Did they have guns?”
“Yes darling.”
“Did they fight the baddies?”
“Yes, that’s right?”
“Oh.”
“Grandma and Grandpa went on a special march today to remember all those people.”
“Oh. They marched?”
“Yes darling.”
(A few minutes later.)
“Mummy? How many people died?”
“Lots and lots of people darling.”
“Lots? Twenty?”
“Much, much more than that darling. Millions.”
“Was the war a long time ago mummy?”
(That’s a tough one. I go for the easy answer.)
“Yes it was. But some people are still soldiers today and still have to fight the bad people.”
“Oh. Mummy?”
“Yes darling.”
“Can I watch my programmes on the television now?”
I guess it is a hard concept to grasp when you are nearly four.
It is important to try and explain though even to one so young.
Regimental Sergeant Major Chant was among the five British soldiers murdered at their base in Afghanistan on Tuesday. His 16 year-old son put the following message on his Facebook page as a tribute to his dad:
“I’m so, so, so proud of you. Just want you to remember you were the greatest dad, soldier and person anyone could ask for. I’m guna miss you shouting at me telling me to get my hair cut… you were my all but I know you died doing something you loved, which I respect dearly.
“The times I was with you were just the greatest… theme parks, walking the dog, arguing constantly, they were the times aye?
“You will be with me always and we will meet again soon. Your comrades respect you and I wouldn’t be lying if I said you were the best soldier the British army ever had. I love you with all my heart and never forget that dad. I miss you so much and wish you were here. Permission to fall out sir, Connor.”
Lest we forget.
We will remember them.
November 8, 2009 at 11:01 pm
4 is a bit young to comprehend the gratitude and respect we have for all those people and the brave sefless acts carried out to protect the world from tyranny. Even those who didnt die or be injured still suffer the horrors of their fallen comrades and deserve our rememberance.