To be conflicted about Remembrance Services?

There is a heartbreaking romanticism to all ceremonies of rememberance. As some posters have pointed out these occasions are to honour and remember all who have died or suffered in or because of any war or conflict. Including those who refused to fight because it was against their religious beliefs or conscience. Many served as stretcher bearers, ambulance drivers and medical auxilliaries in war. They were also under fire. Others went to prison for their beliefs. Families who lost loved ones or had to care for them when they returned also suffered. This is why some people wear the white poppy.

Yes that is exactly what I mean. I’m not criticising the poem. I’m agreeing with it in its criticism of “the old lie: dulce et decorum est pro patria morir”

YANBU. A million Brits were killed in the 2 wars via combat or aerial bombing campaigns. I think we’ve been remarkably forgiving compared with the ‘forgiveness’ we receive (ie for colonialism). Remembrance is 1 day a year and is important.

My comment was not serious but thanks for that obscure history lesson, I never knew other countries were involved in WWI/II

My dd walked in the remembrance parade in our town. Her understanding is that it is to remember and honour those that served in wars and those that died. She felt it was something she wanted to take part in. In our area there is a church service beforehand. We are muslim so didn't attend that but met with the people that were walking and she walked alongside them whilst I got soaked in the rain till someone kindly shared their umbrella.

It was actually quite a nice event,sombre but in a way hopeful. It didn't glorify war in any way. I think a lot more could be done to show our appreciation for those that serve,especially for ex personnel.

Gosh it’s just Remembrance Sunday and 11th (if not falling on a Sunday) - and evennthen just a couple of hours on each day. Not a biggy in the whole year to get so wound up about, surely?

All good. 👍

I’m sorry, my apologies - I was using your quote on not seeing uniforms rather than criticising your post and should have made that clearer.
Perhaps some think they sit in barracks waiting for their street to flood - they’d be relevant then!

I find it so sad that posters on here feel it’s appropriate to sneer at those of us who give our respect for victims of war, which ever side and I include the innocent victims too.
I do pause to think about those affected in any way by war, not only WW1 and WW2. I was fortunate enough not to lose any family members during the WW2 but I had a wonderful great uncle who was an ARP in London and who witnessed the most appalling sights during the Blitz. He rarely spoke of his experiences but they shaped his life and haunted him for years.
Two minutes of silence is nothing when you think of those who gave their lives.

Totally agree

Its to remember all our fallen

Exactly, I don’t disagree with the sentiment, I just don’t do ‘remembrance’ like you. Not only have you been combative at how I remember those who lost their lives, but you’ve thrown personal insults at me such as calling me pathetic. All because you don’t agree! You think you’re a better person because you’re quiet for 2 minutes on Remembrance Sunday. You’ve got no idea what I do all year round- you call me pathetic and say I lack empathy because you take part in Remembrance Sunday. Let that sink in.
And, you quoted me. Perhaps if you don’t want people to respond to you, don’t do that in the first place, or you’re going to keep getting yourself into a tizzy when people answer you.

I watched the BBC coverage of the parade yesterday, I'll be honest and say that it was starting to remind me a little bit of the televised DDR military parades, which fascinated me as a child. I'm all for remembering sacrifices, from all nations in all wars, but that doesn't mean I agree with what took place in those wars.

I think you’ve misunderstood me. I am absolutely behind those who serve in the armed forces. We don’t spend enough on our military and we don’t think enough about the quiet protection they provide to us, or about the good they do around the world including in disaster relief and the like.

A strong, topical example of my support for service personnel is that I could never vote for a government - like this one - that harasses ex-soldiers in the courts. It’s absolutely shocking.

My point was about the social place of the uniformed military in this country. Unlike some countries we don’t use the military for policing or control (NI used to be an exception of course) and we support our military in ceremony, not in shows of strength.

Believe me, you’d have to go a long way to find someone more supportive of the British forces than me.

Some communities see serving personnel in uniform on a daily basis. Try Tesco in Tidworth or anywhere else around Salisbury Plain, particularly at lunch and after work.
Same in Catterick, Portsmouth, Plymouth and so on.
We’re aware of their training - I can hear the rattattat from Bulford ranges miles away, we all hear Larkhill firing big stuff, and are used to all kinds of military vehicles.
Yes, many parts of the country won’t see that - but when the bad boys threaten this country who’ll be ready to defend us? What will all you naysayers do? Tell the missile you don’t believe in war? Say no thanks, I don’t want to hassle? I’m afraid you’d have no choice, the same way that service personnel will not expect a choice, they’ll get on and defend us all in the best way they can.
There are many more covert activities that have been protecting all inhabitants of this country on an ongoing basis that remains very low profile. Never take a soldier for granted - he might save life as you know it.

Yes, I am partisan - my daughter served in the Navy (and is now a paramedic) my son in law was a Royal Marine (and is now in the police) my son an Army reservist (who recently completed two weeks of intense military training by taking holiday from his job) and I worked for the Army in a seniorish position for 25 years, many of it dealing with soldier deaths. All of us clearing up the nastiness to let you all get on with your charmed can’t be bothered life.

I remember all those who served. Not just in the world wars but who served and are still serving now. In dangerous conflicts.

I also remember my grandfather who got the Victoria Cross for actions in world war 1. He survived and served in world war 2 as well.

It wasn’t a disagreement or a reasoned argument from you. You were just sneering. I guess that’s just your way. Now please do have the last word. This has run its course.

Get a grip. It was you that replied to me. Having different methods of remembering to you is not picking a fight. You must find life a battle if you have to dish out insults every time someone disagrees with you.

We take our girlguiding unit every year,
It's about remembering the people who died and ensuring it never happens again. Every life matters.
We have to try and work through our differences so that there isn't another war.

I don’t know who you are and I don’t care an ounce about your beliefs. I object to you sneering at my remembrance of the victims of war.
To reiterate, you are just trying to pick a fight. It is immature and frankly pathetic, especially in the context of Remembrance Sunday.

Bothered what? He hardly got a choice in WW2 to bother did he, what with being thrown out as cannon fodder and all. It’s not the British public buying poppies the man should be angry with

And if anyone thinks it’s about a war that ended 80 years ago, watch the end of the festival of remembrance, a brother and sister perhaps 8 and 11 years old who have lost their dad in service, holding hands, it’s not about the past. Our forces are currently in the Red Sea ensuring shipping can get into the Suez Canal, they are in Jamaica helping hurricane hit communities (these I know about because know people involved)

Have you had a close family member fight in a war? How would you feel if you did?

@PaddlingSwan

theres been many conflicts since ww2, remembrance is about all those lost and those left behind.

as far as being torn because of German heritage, I’m not sure what your conflict is, I know several Germans and all respect Remembrance Day, it’s a time to respectfully remember those defeating tyranny and those who were killed because they were made to fight battles they didn’t believe in, most Germans fighting were conscripts or had no choice. As far as the nazis, no sympathy there op

Taking part isn’t mandatory. Just don’t take part. No one will even notice.

This is an incredibly odd thread.