Seas of Red

I was in London, Great Britain, on November 11th perhaps twenty-five years ago. I had no idea that Remembrance Day was so important in Britain, but everywhere we turned there were reminders of both world wars. I was particularly moved by the thousands of poppies on the lawn outside Westminster Abbey representing the fallen of various regiments.

The Great War, World War One, continues to be of huge significance to the British and an installation this year, the 100th anniversary of the end of the war, graphically brings home the terrible human cost of that conflict. Around the Tower of London there are nearly 900,000 ceramic poppies, one for each military person of the British Empire who perished. Canada's fallen totaled more than 60,000. Entitled Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, the installation is the work of ceramic artist Paul Cummins, from Derbyshire. There has been such a huge turnout of people and that the closing date has been extended. Those who visit often find it emotional because it brings home the scale of sacrifice and loss.

Many congregations including Bridge St, will honour those who served and gave their lives today. We will wear poppies and play the Last Post and Reveille. We will also uphold the message of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who chose another way of sacrifice for humanity.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/news-video/video-drone-captures-spectacular-footage-of-ceramic-poppy-memorial-at-tower-of-london/article21533327/