A medal, Ribbon and metal. A symbol of memory To years past, To the last days Of fallen friends, Who were taken On beach and in field. Honourable brave Buried in graves On foreign shores. Remembered by those Who by luck and fortune Found a way home. A medal, Ribbon and metal. But worn in pride. The names of every man Who fell to lay side by side In eternal stillness and silent rest Inscribed to memory. Worn not for one, But to honour and recall All who never wore A medal...in ribbon and metal. _____________________________ Photograph: The Legion d'Honneur awarded to Ernest Frobisher, my Grandad. A couple of months ago I visited my grandfather Ernest Frobisher. He is now 97 years old. In January this year he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur - the highest French military award - for his role in the D-Day Normandy landings in June 1944. He showed me his medal, which I had not seen previously. The pride I could see in my Grandad I also felt. A man indeed of honour. A man of morals integrity and respect. A man I love and respect for all he has done for me, but the service he gave for his country. It made me think of how a medal is more than ribbon and metal and symbolism. It is a recognition of personal achievement, but also sacrifice and a memorial to those friends and comrades lost in conflict. To the memory and honour of those who did not return. God bless them all. And God bless my Grandad.
