We Will Remember

I was planning to take a photograph of my military medals and our Poppy sculpture from Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red today but, whilst walking the dogs this morning I came round the corner and saw this sight.
I was going to type about how wonderful the military is (it really is!) and how I hoped that I had made a change for the better to the safety of people during my time in Service. However, this scene made me think of sights I saw on Duty in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Deserted play parks were always a sad sight to see, knowing that young lives had not been as innocent and carefree as you would hope. Children were too afraid to come out and play. What was far worse was the sight of the innumerable young bodies lying around. Childhoods had been violently stopped in their tracks before their true purpose in life could be fulfilled. Dreams were shattered and a generation sometimes just vanished. Wars eventually finish but the legacy is there for eternity. Changes happen that cannot be undone.
Maybe that is one of the reasons I chose to adopt - to help someone who was in need. We have given him a place of safety when he did not have one, being too young to fend for himself. That was the goal and it appears to be succeeding. His world was all he knew - maybe he thought it was all normal, but it was not. With lots of time and help we have made a positive difference to him. I just hope that he grows up to achieve the potential that I believe he has.
Maybe one day he shall find this and read it. I hope he is proud of his Dad and that he knows that I only ever try my best.