Lest We Forget
It was nearly three o' clock in the afternoon when they finally arrived. Their train to Canterlot for their annual school field trip had been delayed for several hours on the final approach to the city, but now they were finally there. A gaggle of very excited fillies and colts piled off of the train and onto the platform of the elegant Canterlot Central Train Station. Excited chattering voices filled the air as they followed their teacher, the ever patient Cheerilee.
A short carriage ride and they were soon in the city square. Cheerilee let them wander off a bit, while of course staying in sight, so they could get a look at all of the shops before they started their tour of the city's historical sites proper. Three in particular were absorbed with one of the local bakeries, serving delicious fall themed goods. One of them, a yellow earth pony filly, adjusted the bow in her hair while licking her lips as a scrumptious looking apple pie was taken out of the oven.
"Mmm, that looks delicious," She said. "I bet apples to pears that it tastes right up there with Granny's." Her two companions, a white unicorn and an orange pegasus, nodded in silent approval while they watched more delicious confections being taken from the ovens. A kindly elderly mare left the pie in the oven, smiling and waving at the fillies before returning to her work. It was then that the three fillies noticed something on the mare's breast, just above her apron pocket.
A small red flower. A poppy.
"I wonder why she's wearing that." Scootaloo, the young pegasus, said.
"I dunno, but it's pretty." Sweetie Belle, the unicorn, replied. Apple Bloom nodded, her mouth still watering at the treats on display and the pie in the window.
"Girls! Time to get going!" They turned to see Cheerliee beckoning them to follow. The three tore themselves away from the oh-so-tempting treats and rejoined their class to continue their tour.
Cheerliee led them down Canterlot's historic district, pointing out the various landmarks along the way and giving them a brief history lesson. Most of the students just nodded along, but the three fillies were more focused on the crowd. Almost all of them were wearing the same poppy they had seen on the bakery mare. Passing by the Lord Mayor's mansion, they spotted several wreaths made from the same poppy flowers, creating a splash of red on the white alabaster building. An elderly stallion was sitting below the steps, handing out yet more of the red poppies. As Cheerliee explained the history of the Lord Mayorship of Canterlot, the three fillies approached the stallion, curiously looking at the poppies. The kindly stallion selected three exceptional ones.
"Here you are, little ones," He said in a clipped Trottingham accent. "Courtesy of His Lordship, the Mayor." He hoofed one to each filly, who each mumbled a confused thank you before slipping back to rejoin their class. All of them were thoroughly confused. What was with the flowers all over the place? Cheerilee was just finishing up her speech when she noticed the fillies carrying the poppies.
"Oh! I see you managed to get some." She said happily. The three looked up at her, confused.
"Uh, what's with them?" Scootaloo asked. Cheerilee was confused.
"You mean you don't know?" She asked. They shook their heads. Several other fillies looked at her and nodded as well. Cheerilee was scratching her head in confusion.
"They certainly don't look good," A haughty voice sounded in the back of the group. They all turned to see Diamond Tiara with her nose turned up in the air as a younger stallion, a poppy pinned to his sweater, walked by. "I mean, nobody knows how to wear red anymore. There should be a law." Cheerilee rolled her eyes.
"I take it none of you know the significance of the poppy on this date?" She asked. More nodding. Cheerilee frowned, but then smiled as a thought came into her mind. "I think I can fix that." She turned, examined some street signs, and then smiled. "This way." She said, beckoning them to follow.
"Where are we going? And how does it answer the question?" Button Mash asked, sipping on a Coke he had gotten from a nearby vending machine.
"You'll see." Cheerilee said.
The followed their teacher until they reached a wide open area; some of them instantly recognized it as Amalthea Square. Cheerilee led them past historical monuments into the center. The foals were in awe at what they saw in the center.
A huge stone column stood dead in the center of the square. Made of polished marble, it gleamed in the evening sun. Flanking the column were flagpoles bearing the flag of Equestria and the banners of each branch of the military, gently flapping in the evening breeze. On top of the column was a polished bronze statue of a Royal Guard, clad in their traditional armor and standing rampant, holding out his spear at the ready as though fighting and invisible foe. Below the statue, set in recesses cut into the column, were several other statues of Equestrian soldiers, dressed in the uniforms from each major war that their country had fought in. Below this, they could see words carved into the column.
IN MEMORIAM
TO EVERY SOLDIER, SAILOR AND AIRMAN
WHO FELL IN THEIR MAJESTIES' SERVICE
"What is this place?" Archer, a blue pegasus filly, asked. Cheerilee smiled at her.
"This, little ones," She said, addressing them all, "is the Cenotaph."
"Cenotaph?" Silver Spoon asked.
"Yes. It's a memorial to every single soul who fought and died for our fair country. Go up closer, and take a good look at what's at the base of it." She pointed to a small area a the base of the huge column. They could see what looked like a raised marble slab sitting at an incline. It was surrounded by a sea of red poppies and poppy wreaths, plus what looked like notes left by people who had visited the Cenotaph. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo led the class up the base of the column. As they got closer, the smell of fresh poppies filled their nostrils. They also noticed that some of the poppies were white. As they approached the slab, they finally noticed that it was fenced off, and a large plaque on the top was made of polished brass so the writing on it could be read. Sweetie Belle cleared her throat before she started reading.
Here lies in honored glory
A soldier of Their Majesties' Army
Known but to the heavens
Who gave his life
So that you may stay free
They buried him among royalty
Because he had done good toward Equestria and his House
Continuing, she read some more writing that appeared along the border of the plaque at the top.
Princesses of the sun and moon, I am dead. I hope it was enough.
Sweetie Belle looked at Cheerilee. "This is a grave?" She asked. Cheerilee nodded.
"Yes, a very important one. This young soldier has no name, yet he has thousands of names. He lies here in this tomb as a memorial to every soldier who died for us all." She explained. "Do you know what today is?"
"November the eleventh." Button Mash said. The ears of every single filly and colt suddenly perked up.
"It's the Day of Memory!" Apple Bloom piped up. "Now I remember! Applejack was talking about it before I left!" Cheerilee smiled.
"Yes, it is," She beckoned for Apple Bloom to hand her the poppy she had been given. Taking it, she held it up for the entire class to see.
"And old legend says that the poppy flower is the first to bloom over the grave of a soldier who dies in battle," She explained. "The red poppy is therefore said to represent the blood he shed for his country and people. In recent years, the white poppies you see have been added to symbolize the hope for peace." She handed the poppy back to Apple Bloom and pointed at the Cenotaph and the tomb.
"This memorial isn't just for the fallen brave. It's also there to remind us not to forget the price that has been paid so that we can stay a free people," She began. "All the rights and freedoms that we enjoy; the right to speak and publish without fear of the censor, the right to worship or not worship as we choose, the right to peacefully assemble to make our voices heard, are, by themselves, just words on paper. What makes them special is the price paid to win and keep them. That price is the blood, sweat and tears of mares and stallions who fought, and died, on battlefields against others who sought to take them away. Take a close look, my little ponies, and take a lesson from the dead. Listen to his voice speaking to you from across the veil of death. I lie here, like so many others, so that you can stay free. Never forget me. She smiled and pinned Apple Bloom's poppy to her scarf. "That's why these are worn, so that we don't ever forget."
By then, there was barely a dry eye in the group, and even Diamond Tiara, who had called the poppies a fashion faux-pas, was wiping away a tear. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle smiled and pinned their own poppies to their scarfs as well. She also noticed something out of the corner of her eye.
And elderly stallion, limping due to some unseen injury and wearing an immaculate Army dress uniform, approached the Cenotaph carrying a wreath of red and white poppies, laying at the foot of the tomb. His leg shaking with age, he still held a stiff salute. They all counted off; twenty-one seconds before he brought it down. Sweetie Belle nodded to her friends, who all trotted over to the stallion. Before he could react, all three wrapped him up in as big a hug as they could manage. Sweetie Belle turned her own sap green eyes to his amber ones.
"Thank you, sir." She said. Misty-eyed, the old stallion smiled and returned their hug as best he could, before gently breaking it and leaving. They returned to their group, Cheerilee beaming at them. Encouraged, the other fillies and colts approached the tomb, each of them giving a message of thanks.
None of them were going to forget that day, or ever again.
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May we never forget.
God Bless our Troops! Their sacrifices were not in vain, for they died fighting for what they believed in. They are gone, but they will never be forgotten. Our country is known for its freedom. But freedom comes with a price, a price that only the soldiers of the U.S. Military can pay. Thank you to all of those who served to protect the very thing our country stands for! Rest easy my friends!
7714929 Indeed
7714940
Don't forget our British, Canadian and other allies.
7714952 Of course. Everyone who served in our military and fought with our military, we will be forever grateful.
I had tears in my eyes by the middle of this story! Thank you so very much for writing this. As a veteran, it means so very much for someone to acknowledge our sacrifices. I hope that they always remember. I hope they realize the price of freedom.
Lest we forget
7714977
You're welcome, and thank you for your service.
Thank you for writing this. I need to go dry my eyes.
7715031
Thank you.
May we never forget.
Great story for an important day.
In honor of my Father and the other men of the second Div Marines. Chateau Thierry, Muse-Argonne, Belleau Wood and others WW1
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
7714977 Thank you for your service, Olden, and Happy Veteran's Day.
7714929 thats a wonderful piece of poetry i Love it so much.
Never forget this brave souls.
You are a wounder full person to have made this. I Love it.
7715084 Thank you for finding this it was wounderfull.
youtube=[https://youtu.be/WChTqYlDjtI]]
I will leave this here.
Ps does anyone know how to set up like to a YouTube video on a tablet on this site? It never works for me at all.
7715354
Don't forget this.
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.
I feel I should leave a quote that I discovered a while ago. I do believe it is fitting.
A hero need not speak, for when he is gone, the world will speak for him.
Thank you for writing this.
Gives me goosebumps every time when the Army choir joins in.
Amazing work! Freedom is never free and I'll never forget those who gave up their lives so I can have a free life. I'm going to go wipe my eyes now.
Lest We Forget
Thank you very much for this piece, as a veteran myself you really don't see many who will do this for us. As i look at what the world is today many have forgotten why they can say what is on their mind, also what gave them the chance to voice their opinions whether good or bad for the military. Those very people that some chose to disrespect are the ones that died to give them a chance to disrespect them. I have to say it is a very beautiful piece and thank you very much.
WARNING:
The following video contains content that may offend or confuse some viewers, especially veterans. Do not watch if you are not ready for a paradigm shift in your perception of Veterans Day.
Thank you. I come from a military town. So veteran's day is very important. Almost everyone has some tradition to remember those who have fallen. I choose to express myself in what I wear.
Black in the morning, to mourn the lost lives.
White in the evening. Symbolic of not just the freedom we have built upon their sweat and blood, but the purity and innocence of those they were fighting for.
Red in the afternoon, to honor their valor, and acknowledge that their blood and sweat is the sturdiest foundation we could have built a nation on.
At the end of the day, I change into blue nightwear, symbolic of my trust that no matter the hurdle, our nation, is strong, and will overcome any obstacle, because there will always be those ready to fight, kill, and die for it. Myself induced.
Thank you knight.
Thank goodness I never had to see action. The Canadian military was an interesting experience but after seeing those poor bastards who had come back from Afghanistan... Two of my buddies volunteered to go over. They came back, one committed suicide three weeks later and the other is a unemployed drunk. I don't wanna end up like that. War is hell, it takes its toll in lives, sure. But it does things to your mind...
Well, here's to you my friends. I'll never forget. O7
My prayers for the fallen and their families. May the sun never rise and all of Hell freeze for all the chance that we forget the price of freedom.
Happy Veteran's Day. May we honor those who fight for us, who sacrificed themselves for us, and those who have lived to tell their tale. May we never forget. *salutes*
7716368 The United Kingdom is a monarchy
I am so glad that 9/11 is already over for this year, so it'll be nine more months before we'll be deluged with half-assed stories again about that, too.
7716368
Not every Monarchy is a dictatorship.
History gives us plenty of examples of Kingdoms that had ( and still have) more personal, religious freedoms than "democracies" that we have today.
What would happen if Americans instead of electing President (Primus Inter Pares) would elect a King every 4 years? Just another word for the same job. Wouldn't USA be still a free country?
Is Great Britain a dictatorship? Are subjects of Queen Elizabeth II not free people?
Freedom does not come from political system of state you are living in.
As a veteran, I thank you for this heartfelt story. Camo tears of pride and rememberance were shed.
7716368
I think you're a little bit confused.
A monarchy is led by a monarch. A dictatorship is led by a dictator, one who personally holds absolute power. Not to say a monarch can't have the power of a dictator, but usually their power is checked in some fashion (in modern times by written constitutions and parliaments; in more ancient times by their feudal vassals (see King John and the Magna Carta Barons, for instance). In the time between the decline of feudalism and the rise of constitutional monarchies, though, royal power was pretty absolute.
Also the term dictator has not always been associated with the evil of recent examples, ie, Mao Zedong, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Castro, Paul Pot, Mugabe, Chavez, etc. Originally, it referred to a magistrate appointed by the Roman Senate (pre-empire, when Rome was a republic) to lead the state during times of emergency, who stepped down and returned control to the Senate when the emergency ended.
7716368 a monarchy does not make a dictatorship. a dictatorship is when power is misused and the plight of the people are ignored.
7716492
Ah, I see where you're going. For you, there is no such thing as a monarchy (or an oligarcy, diarchy, kleptocracy, or meritocracy, etc). Either you vote and have a democracy, or you don't vote (or the vote doesn't do anything), in which case you have a dictatorship.
This seems rather simplistic to me.
Also, calling people idiots in logical discourse is a sure sign that you have no valid argument.
Wikipedia begs to differ:
You also said:
Well, yeah, it kinda does. Again, Wikipedia:
7716019
So I'm assuming you agree with most it not all this guy says. He does have a point that by choosing how something is remembered that it ultimately reflects how the future is shaped. However he is reaching rather far off notion that remembrance/veterans day that is the cause of more war. War is a constant it might take different forms or be too far away for you to care but so long as power of any kind exists there will be war. This man may be smart but he's ignorant of what the tomb of the unknown soldier stands for. The tomb is for the unknown soldier just that it doesn't matter the war or conflict or the beliefs behind them. It is there to honor those who couldn't come home. Globalism and nationalism are political constructs and as a vet myself I can say with full understanding that soldiers don't fight for politics. They either are fighting for their family, trying to make a better life for themself or were drunk and signed on the dotted like. Yes there are some who join for some foolish sense of glory or honor, but those beliefs quickly disappear when they start getting shot at. Non the less soldiers still fight for you wether by choice or not they still fight. This man is clearly a globalist and is looking for a connection that just isn't there.
7716541
Paleobrony took it right out my mouth.
All the little angels rise up, rise up.
All the little angels rise up high!
How do they rise up, rise up, rise up?
How do they rise up, rise up high?
They rise heads up, heads up, heads up, they rise heads up, heads up high!
7716492 We are a Constitutional Monarchy. WE are ruled by a Monarch. Our head of state is a Monarch. The supereme commander of the British Armed Forces is the Monarch.
7716607 Hell Terry Pratchett fan
A beautiful short story.
I was fortunate enough to serve in the US Navy during a time of peace. Being a bit older than a great deal of you here, I had family that was not so lucky. My Great uncle gave his life on the beaches of Iwo Jima 1944, I am Lucky and honored to carry his name as my middle name. My mothers dad gave his health up, and lost his whole crew, in a bomber over France 1942. My uncle left a bit of himself behind in the skies of Korea behind the stick of F-86 fighter jet.
For all of them, for all of the ones who have fought, bled, and died to see that time of peace I was so fortunate to serve during. Thank you for this story.
We shall not forget,
or be filled with regret.
Beautiful piece, thank you for sharing it.