JACKIE'S JUNCTION

Remembrance Day 2011

MEMORIES FOREVER

We’ve had our share of war to fight,
Flares, our only guiding light
To those lay dying.

So much sorrow; too much pain
To secure land as our gain
From troops opposed.

Barbed wire surrounds prisoners taken,
Their spirits low, but not forsaken
Battles continue on.

Decades gone; the years are past
Our memories though, they’ve been cast
Forever, with grave markers.

We cherish those now long dead
To honour, we wear a poppy red
Our hearts forever grateful.

Emotions, held in check all these years,
Now surface with the threat of tears
As we REMEMBER.

They gave their lives to defend
Say a prayer for it to end
And always, REMEMBER.

Jacqueline Black
2011

Remembrance Day 2010

A NEED FOR SILENCE

No different now than years gone by
For freedom, still our soldiers die
So we can live.

Risking safety once again today
Enemies encountered on the way
To a successful mission.

Road side bombs; bullets flying
Hear their screams; hear the crying
Of those we love.

Helicopters swirl desert sand
Rescuing yet another man
Whose life is threatened.

Flags we fly and poppies wear
Emotions held, we now can bare
Just how we feel.

So many wars; so many lost
Left alone we wear the cost
A poppy red.

They gave their lives to defend
Say a prayer for it to end
And always, REMEMBER.

Jacqueline Black
2010

Remembrance Day 2009

Then and Now

Almost all those "Heroes" gone away
They gave us what we have today,
Another year passes; a Veteran does too
No longer here, for us to view.

Italy, France - now Kandahar
All our troops sent afar
As families worry, sit and wait
To hear about their loved ones' fate.

Whether desert sand, rain or mud,
Landscapes soaking up the blood
Of those who fought to win a war -
Voices, silenced now and for evermore.

Remembrance Days come and go,
With crosses standing row on row
Seems to be a never ending sight
Bearing names of those who lost their fight.

Two World Wars; losses too great
November 11^th, we remember the date
While a modern war takes a turn,
"Flanders Fields" is the poem we learn.

We honour all who served this land
Wearing poppies; we salute and stand
Grateful to those who went before
To open wide our "Freedom" door.

Jacqueline Black - 2009
Wife of Sgt. W.P. Black (deceased)
Daughter of Ruby Thorne -
British War Bride and
Ken Thorne - World War II Vet.

Remembrance Day 2008

Death Defined

Another year, once more a poem
Still combat troops are far from home
In Afghanistan, they go through Hell
Only silence greets those who fell.

Our men and women, now six long years
Have had to face their grief and tears
And wonder when they'll face death
As fellow soldiers draw, their final breath.

Families battle through the loss and pain
Of those now gone, of those now lame,
Many lives cut short, over too soon
Now pieces of Heaven among stars and the moon.

Each year we ask how many more
Will pass the way of those before?
Names etched upon a granite stone
A flag draped box their transport home.

Whether years ago, or modern day
REMEMBER them while wreaths you lay,
November's poppies wear with pride
Pray for those who fought, who died.

Jacqueline Black
2008
Wife of Sgt. W.P. Black
(deceased)

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