Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Tower of London- "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red"



One of the things that I truly wanted to see while we were in England was at the Tower of London..."Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red".  We did get to view it and I have some photos to show you.

   Volunteers have been placing bright red ceramic poppies in the moat around the Tower of London since Aug. 5th and will continue to do so until Nov. 11th.  These dates are significant:  World War I began on Aug. 5, 1914 and ended Nov. 11, 1918.  By the time of the final installation, the total number of poppies will be 888,246...each one representing a fallen British soldier or soldier of the Commonwealth.

The poppies will encircle the iconic landmark, creating not only a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower but also a location for personal reflection. The scale of the installation intends to reflect the magnitude of such an important centenary creating a powerful visual commemoration.

The quote above is from the website of the Tower of London and you can find more information about it just here.  If you get the chance, take the time to read it.  You may purchase a poppy from that site and proceeds will be donated to various military charities, which I think is such a wonderful idea.

I was overcome by the sight of all that red and what it represented.  I had seen photos of it and I thought I would find it moving.  I didn't expect for it to hit me with such emotion that I immediately had to wipe tears from my face...




           
It just so happened that we were there on a Thursday and I have read that the volunteers only place the poppies in the moat on Thursdays and Sundays.  We thought it was interesting to see them do this.  I only found out from Ron who left me a comment on my last post about this, that ANYONE could have volunteered ...he was there on that same day and they even let AMERICANS help to place them.  Gee, I wish I had known, I would most certainly would have liked to have walked into that moat and help to plant a poppy amongst that green, green grass.

You see, for me, I have such strong feelings for veterans, for all who have served in the military.  "A location for personal reflection"...yes, that was just what it was for me.  I thought of all those that had died in World War I and I thought of those who might have died later from the war but might not even be counted here in poppies.  One of the most moving posts that you might read this year is from Rachel, whose great uncle committed suicide after World War I.  You may read her incredible story of her relative, Cyril Arthur Took, just here.

I have written posts about World War II veterans...Louis Zamperini, W.S. Connor, and Col. Benjamin Purcell...all of them passed away now, but it brings a lump to my throat to remember them...I met two of them and although I didn't meet Mr. Zamperini, I was honored to receive a few notes and cards from him and I felt as if I had lost a friend when he died this past July.  Of course, you might guess that I spoke about Mr. Zamperini and about the movie "Unbroken" that will be coming out at the end of this year to almost everyone that I met while I was in England.  I only wish that someone would make a movie about "Love and Duty" (Col. Purcell and his wife), and also about W. S. Connor ( a survivor of the Leopoldville, a ship sunk in the English channel during World War II.)
So much to tell and to say, so many people to honor...not just during one war, but so many...too many.

36 comments:

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    1. I wish that someone here could do something similar. After all, why not copy something that brings money to charities AND makes people think and feel.

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  2. This is such an incredible sight! I'll be waiting for Unbroken with you.

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    1. I know, Kay! I hope that the movie does a good job. I will be looking out for Mr. Zamperini, you can be sure!

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  3. I wonder if you know why poppies are used to commemorate the fallen soldiers? It is said that the poppies grew in Flanders Field over the graves of the soldiers. They were the first flowers to bloom there. It was said that there was one poppy for each drop of blood shed or for each fallen soldier, depending on the version of the story heard. It is a beautiful way to remember those who gave their lives to protect ours.

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    1. Yes, I wrote of this on Aug. 24th,
      I do know about the significance of the poppies, I have the poem "In Flanders Field" on that post. Poppies are extremely beautiful to me, yet I always think of that poem when I see them. x

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  4. I think it was on Jenny Woolf's blog that I first saw pictures of this installation. It would have been very moving for me, too, being there and seeing it for real.

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    1. It was very moving but I still didn't expect such a strong visceral reaction from me, it surprised me.

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  5. As you say. too many. And the sad, frustrating, futile thing is that they are not the last. Thank you for sharing - the photos are beautiful. x

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    1. Too many, but thankful and grateful for each one. x
      Thanks, Richard took all the photos, he had the same kind of reaction to this that I did.

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  6. I've never been to the Tower, and always hoped to go there as a criminal. I'm kinda kidding. If I was to go there then I think that would be the best time to go. To see something like that would be amazing. I've only been to London once and the only landmark I saw was the Eye.

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    1. Well, if you saw The London Eye, then you had to see the Houses of Parliament too!
      The Tower of London is fascinating and well worth a visit.

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  7. Such a stunning installation -- I would love to see it in person. Since I can't, thanks for these beautiful photos!

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    1. Thanks, Debra!
      We were grateful we got to see it while we were there.

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  8. We got to see it too and it was very moving.

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    1. Yes, I remember your posts on England! We saw some of the same things, great minds think alike! I wish I could have made it to the Imperial War Museum, maybe next time.

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  9. Wonderful. I'm going to see it with a friend in a few days and I'm looking forward to it!

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    1. Hey Jenny Woolf!
      I thought of you when I was in London! I remember saying that I didn't think I would like the "Shard" building, but guess what, I didn't dislike it!
      Could it be because of some of the other horrid looking buildings that I saw? The one that looks like a Walkie Talkie? (I think it looks like a giant men's shaver).
      The South Bank was incredible!

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  10. Stunning images! Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. You are very welcome. I think my husband has a very good eye.

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  11. Just so Wonderful!!
    This does not look like real, lit ooks like it is from a fairy tale.
    I would love to be there.

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    1. I know! That part where they have the poppies spilling from the open window, that really impressed me with the way that they did that.

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  12. This really is such an amazing idea and although I have read quite a few blog posts about this now, it still touches me and it touches me even more that visitors from overseas visit and are so touched by what they see, as you were. It is a great tribute to those who served in the war. xx

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    1. Well, I also had a great deal of feeling for those who have fought in all wars when I saw this installation, to be honest, not just those in World War One.

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  13. It is the most awesome...and it must be more so seeing it in person; very emotional, I imagine.

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    1. I was very grateful to see it in person, Lee.

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  14. Sobering and powerful statement, those poppies. What an honest and moving way to remember all those veterans. I'm sure I would have cried too, at first sight of those poignant red poppies.

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    1. Oh Sara, it is hard to put into words of the visual impact of all those poppies, I am certain you would have cried too at the very first glimpse of them, same as I did.

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  15. I was so touched and happy to have seen this on your blog. I am British, but I live in Switzerland and I don't think I will be able to make the trip to see these wonderful poppies in person before November 11th.

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    1. Thank you very much for your comment, Sandra!
      My husband and I were very grateful that we were able to see this at the Tower of London.

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  16. Beautiful photos and a beautiful post. I didn't realise anyone could volunteer - that would have been something really special to do!

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    1. I know! I wish that I had known! Still, it was an amazing sight to see and my husband and I were very grateful to have seen it.
      Thanks again for your post, I loved your photos and your words.

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