Remberance parade as publicity for local businesses?

[Bestseller]

Our town always has a lovely service and parade in the High St, very well supported by the local community with 1000s in attendance.

After the silence all the town dignitaries get to lay their wreaths one at a time and have their names read out. Then clubs/groups and local businesses get their turn. They go up in groups of three and also have their names announced. Every year there seem to be more businesses which is good, except that the service goes on for ever. Noone objects to standing in the cold to remember the fallen, but so local businesses can have their name announced wears a bit thin.

Is it very cynical of me to think they do it (at least in part) for the PR? This year we had dance schools, a reading group, funeral directors, plumbers etc.and loads of them.

At the very end there's a "if anyone else would like to lay a wreath please come forward now" why can't they all do it then? Am I missing something more worthy when I say why do they have to be announced?

Do you think there's a bit of being seen to do the right thing about it? I think it's important to mark the day and it's great that there's so much recognition for it. But I do see your point.

Yes, but I I think that's exactly what it is and I wonder how many would still do it if no-one knew, or conversely if they thought no-one would notice if they didn't.

I've seen similar in my local area. If you complained though you'd be accused of being disrespectful by frothing Daily Mail types.