JACKIE'S JUNCTION

Remembrance Day 2007

We Carry On

Road side bombs, bullets flying,
Soldiers wounded, comrades dying,
Vehicles shattered like broken dreams
A torrid sun shines down its beams.

Assisting all who they meet
Hidden danger in the dust and heat,
Insurgent force's mortar blasts
Make ones days their very last.

Shrapnel does not discriminate who
Media representatives, interpreters too,
Experience the pain that war carries
Some of their own, they've had to bury.

Field hospitals have had to bear
Bloodied bodies that require care,
Doctors, nurses dressed in white
Saving those who had to fight.

New rows of crosses or headstones
Those never to again come home,
New veterans, now paving the way
We honour, and for the families pray.

World War soldiers grow less each year
However, recognize the deep set fear
Our men and women confront today,
Life, too often is the price they pay.

Remember those who fought before,
Remember those still at war,
In our hearts they always stay
Wear a Poppy on Remembrance Day.

Jacqueline Black - 2007

Remembrance Day 2006

New Heroes

On a runway in Afghanistan
Saluting soldiers, at attention stand
Watching coffins carried shoulder high
Honouring comrades, with a last good bye.

Reconstruction is our soldiers' aim
Rebuild a country that's been maimed
By years of war, unrest and strife
Perhaps to have, a better life.

There are those, who don't agree
Who turn an eye, who cannot see
Reasons for the young lives lost
Hopes and dreams now bear the cost.

No matter what your views on war
"Remember" there is so much more
Our men and women endure each day
Respect their courage as you pray.

Yellow ribbons displayed, show we care
Red poppies, everyone should wear
To praise the soldiers who still fight
And honour those who died with might.

Another war, lives turned to dust
The only thing they had was trust
Their deaths and injuries, a part of history be
They paid the price, for you and me.

Jacqueline Black
November 2006

VETERAN'S 60th ANNIVERSARY

ALL'S QUIET

SILENCE now for Sixty years
We've put aside long felt fears
When World War was all we knew
And loss of loved ones, daily grew.

The water roared and waves were high
As troops landed on a shore to die
Or as they waited, in trenches deep
Fighting for a piece of land, to keep.

As the call went out to leave their land
Perhaps to die on foreign sand
The Allied troops together strong
Bravely fought against what was wrong.

They lay in graves so far from home
Their families shattered; now all alone
Lives given for a strong belief
Their time cut short and all too brief.

Six decades since you set free
Countries surrounded by a sea
Of turmoil, strife and in fear
Of losing all that they held dear.

So, to those of you who took part
Who defended us with all your heart,
We thank you and treasure the peace you gave
And the freedom fought so hard to save.

Jacqueline Black            
               Daughter of Ken and Ruby Thorne
                                    Veteran and War Bride
                                    2005