GARY SPEED

It's a very sad day today. Football has lost one of its most populr managers. Gary Speed was found dead at his home this morning. Apparently he has taken his own life.

The former Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton footballer was appointed manager of Wales in December 2010 after retiring as a player in May last year.

My sympathies and condolences go to his family at this awful time.

Every year about this time.

You'll see him at the mall.

A man who is old and slightly bent,

Who once stood straight & tall.

And if you go you'll see him,

For he's there everyday.

Dressed in a Legion blazer,

With poppies in a tray.

Who is this ancient warrior,

Who sacrificed his youth?

So we all could live in freedom,

And all could know the truth.

How many times still in his youth,

Did this man go ...through hell?

How many times watched helplessly,

As his comrades around him fell?

A dollar, a coin or a pound,

It's a small price I pay,

As I take a poppy,

And start to walk away.

Thank you sir the old man say's.

With a voice that's strong and true,

And I turn and look in his eyes,

And say, No Sir... I thank you!

FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae, May 1915