11th hour; 11th day; 11th month.

[Preacherman]

I travel Europe every year for about 6 weeks; just me, my motorbike and my tent. When riding through Belgium and northern France, I cannot ride past any of the many wargrave sites there. I must stop and give thanks.The experiences are emotive, to say the least. This is my tribute to one man, no boy, that died for his country and whose headstone I chose, from the thousands, to photograph.

To Theodule

He was just 17, my boy, my child.
I remember the day I told Claude he was on the way.
No words came that day. No words came.
Dropped jaw. Profuse tears. Radiant expressions of pure joy.
Both our minds anticipating the future. Planning; envisaging; wondering; hoping.
I remember the day he went to school. My heart ached with worry. No need.
There are thousands of ordinary, uneventful days I don’t remember,
But I remember the day he lied about his age.
I waved. I smiled. But I knew.
Two years, 755 days to be exact, of indescribable pain in my heart.
A pain that paled into insignificance compared with another day I remember.
I only heard the first two words, but yes, I knew.
Those first two words heard then, and a million times again – “I’m sorry.........”
No words came that day. No words came.
His death makes it much easier for me to face my own.
But oh! The joy when that day comes. There will NOT be “no words” then.





WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

[SoxAddict]

Brilliant shots. Poignant too. The first is wonderful - I love the orderliness, shadows, lovely green grass and beautiful sunny blue sky,

[Hayward Taylor]

Hi Paul - wow - what a tribute to our fallen heroes ... I salute you my friend

[harrypalmer044]

No matter what conflict or what country they came from they will be remembered.

[dvetter]

Paul great tribute. This dedication is deep and honorary. Thanks for sharing!

[ianmoffatt]

Very sobering.

I spent 3 days travelling around The Somme, Verdun and Passchendaele in 1986. Everybody should visit at least once in their lifetime - preferably whilst still young.

[Preacherman]

Originally Posted by SoxAddict

Brilliant shots. Poignant too. The first is wonderful - I love the orderliness, shadows, lovely green grass and beautiful sunny blue sky,

Thanks Nicky. Your comments always motivate me. PAUL

Originally Posted by Hayward Taylor

Hi Paul - wow - what a tribute to our fallen heroes ... I salute you my friend

Thanks Hayward. I was reading just today that more French soldiers were killed in WW1 during the summer and fall of 1914 than all of the US soldiers killed in the whole of the
20th century! And we are still at it. When will we ever learn? PAUL

Originally Posted by harrypalmer044

No matter what conflict or what country they came from they will be remembered.

Remembered indeed David. And by you more than most, probably. Thanks my friend. PAUL

[vimalkv]

Great capture...Love the first one...Nice Lines and contrast of colours..Thank you for sharing

[Preacherman]

Originally Posted by vimalkv

Great capture...Love the first one...Nice Lines and contrast of colours..Thank you for sharing

Your'e welcome Vimal. Glad you like it. PAUL

[martha36]

Paul, that is such a moving tribute. We all need to be reminded sometimes. Thank you.