I have been absolutely appalled by some comments about poppies and minutes silence being absent on Saturday.
To me, this is 1) People using the serious matter of remembrance weekend to justify their own agenda. In which case, shame on you. Or 2) People getting on their high horse in ignorance of what Remembrance Day is all about. Which is probably even worse.
So, a quick history lesson:
The British Legion (as was, now the Royal British Legion) was formed in 1921. The person behind its formation was Field Marshall Earl Haig, commander of Commonwealth forces in World War I. It was formed to supply aid to those who either died, or survived "The War to end All Wars". It has since, quite correctly, expanded its remit to cover all those who have been affected by war. The reason for the poppies, is that according to the poem 'in Flanders' Fields', written a the Canadian Doctor, Lt. Col. John MaCrae, poppies were the first flowers to grow on the graves of the fallen on the muddy fields in Flanders.
The First World War officially ended at 11:00 on the 11th of November 1918. So, the number 11 is very important for all aspects of remembrance day. Which is why, there is 2 minutes silence at 11 o'clock on the 11th of November.
This is followed by the traditional remembrance concert on Saturday at the Albert Hall. And on Sunday, by the traditional Remembrance Day memorial at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
So, no, there were no poppies on shirts on Saturday. Or a minute's silence. As that would have been WRONG. NEXT weekend is Remembrance Weekend.
And, as the Charlton - Swindon game issuing televised, I will be proud that Charlton will be one of the first Football League teams to a) be wearing their shirts with the traditional poppies, and b) stand arm in arm for the minute's silence before kick off...
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i.e. Had we been away in the FA Cup surely our best chance to show respect would have been the Chesterfield League game a whole two weeks prior to the event!!
If you have a second day, there are dozens of Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries all over the immediate area. All immaculate. No differention. Privates buried next to Generals. All the same size headstone. Again, I guarantee you won't leave without tears in your eyes.
And when you get home, put a tenner in the poppy collection box and thank your lucky stars it wasn't you that went through this.
Which is why I think Sue Parks was very wrong to blame fans not attending and the subsequent loss of income for there being no poppies on the shirt due to lack of funds. A very cheap and false statement to score points.
As someone who is personally involved in events to remember our fallen from WW1 at Armed Forces day it is a real shame that it has come to this.
to see all the names does bring a tear to your eye .
To get some perspective as to just how many people that is imagine The Valley full to capacity and then imagine another Valley full to capacity.
I think the poppy should be a symbol of respect, reflection and thanks and that is starting to get lost.
I started thus thread, in support of something that should be important to ANYONE, regardless of race, creed, religion, or culture.
NOT as a pro or anti regime thread.
And I object to it being hi-jacked as such...
I was agreeing with you that it was wrong to score points on this topic.
But now you are blaming me for not calling out "protesters" or "anti-regime"
I haven't seen any "protesters" saying this but you have revealed your true purpose for posting ie yet again blaming the "protesters" for everything and anything.
It seems like its you thats after an argument.
at this time of year so far as I am concerned there can't be too many instances of remembrance .. from November 1st to 11th should be a time for reflection and thanksgiving that most of us have escaped the horrors of industrialised warfare..
after all Christmas is supposed to last for twelve days and that's after three months of shopping and advertising, surely eleven days of remembrance is not too much to ask
as an aside, the Science Museum has a terrific exhibition of medical advances and techniques relating to World War One as well as the associated horrors inflicted on the wounded .. well worth a visit .. I think it's still on, I will be going again at the end of the month if it is
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/war
Argue on a different thread please
I'm not trying to stir anything up, just genuinely trying to understand.
It wasnt a political statement just remembrance and a privilage to follow him on the Palestine campaign almost a century on
I've driven over to that region about 5 or 6 times this year and I always pay my respects. Vimy Ridge is another place to visit.
I don't think it was taught enough in school. Black History Month (nothing wrong with it) was the only thing taught throughout October year on year. The year 1066 was taught for long periods of year 7. WWI got a couple of weeks at the beginning of year 9. It was covered more in year 10 but that's when History was no longer compulsory. Not enough for me.
That will be corrected very soon.
Soon as I heard it I got on line and managed to book a reasonably priced hotel in Ypres.
We also visited a German cemetery nearby, Langemark, and the stark contrast of the dark stone used and the space allocated for the graves, was very evocative of the feelings felt after the war.
Should be emotional days but so pleased the fallen are being remembered on this anniversary.
The regiment captured all thier objectives that day but suffered 600 casualties. We have a number of descendants of soldiers attending and expecting 200 people.
There are free guided walks around St Julian being led by some of our guides and being some distance from Tynecot & the Menin Gate where the Royals will be expect no road closures or restricted access.
www.militaria1418.com