Remembering

Today is Remembrance Day when services and ceremonies will be held around the country at war memorials in cities, towns and villages to commemorate those who have fallen in war. Similar services will be held around the Commonwealth and in other places.

At eleven o’clock, the nation will once again observe a two-minute silence to honour the dead. After this, wreaths of poppies will be laid to memorialise and symbolise the blood spilt in war; that flower being a reminder of the poppies that bloomed across some of the battlefields in WWI.

The Queen will lead the nation by laying the first wreath at the Cenotaph in London. She will be followed by many representatives of various organisations, including those of the armed services. Afterwards there will be the familiar parades, including those of veterans.

People of my generation who were born towards the end of or after WWII have much to be thankful for. We were not directly affected by war except when parents or relatives were killed or injured in them.

As I said the other day, those who gave up their lives did so to keep this country free. Regardless of whatever anyone else feels about war, I for one will be watching the ceremony at the Cenotaph and will observe the two-minute silence.

It will be the least I can do to remember those who gave up their lives for their country.
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‘Lest We Forget’

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I had to go up to London yesterday and was saddened to see how few people were wearing poppies.

Maybe some people feel that the poppies represent just another charity and, to some extent, that is true for every week someone seems to be clanking a collecting tin as we emerge from a station or a supermarket. Every so often we also get personally-addressed appeals in the mail from charities reminding us of the need to support various folk or animals around the world. So I have some understanding of what is now called ‘charity fatigue’.

On the other hand, the annual display of poppies in the run-up to Remembrance Day has become a national symbol as well as a memorial and tribute to all those who have fallen in conflict and who may have been injured in or affected by them.

It’s not only the last two World Wars that we need to remember, but all the various conflicts since then. And, of course, the conflicts that exist right now, and Lord knows there are plenty of them.

More importantly, Poppy Day is a reminder - one sadly forgotten or ignored by many young people these days - that those who have fallen in conflict have done so to protect the freedom that we enjoy now. And that is definitely something that should not be forgotten.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
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