Lest We Forget

Two ceremonies were held in Libya to commemorate Rememberance Day. On the Friday before the 11th, the Desert Rat had the opportunity to fly to Tobruk for the ceremony there. The special guest at that ceremony was Prince Andrew.

Tobruk War Cemetry:

On the Friday after Rememberance Day, we both went to the ceremony at the Tripoli Commonwealth War Cemetry. I must say that both of us found it very moving - seeing the actual graves of the men and women who died really brought the futility of war home to us. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains each of the war cemetries and both are very well kept. The Commission will also put wreaths and messages on individual graves on behalf of the families that can not do so themselves. We read a few messages which talked about how much the person buried here in North Africa was still very much missed by people back home some 60 odd years later. I must admit, both of us were a little choked at times, especially when we thought about how young these men were when they died. Some of the graves are for unknown soldiers and you can not but feel so terribly sad for them and their families who may have never known for sure where their loved ones ended their days.

Tripoli War Cemetry: