to be stunned by the reaction dh witnessed at the war memorial today

[Northernlurker]

(Sorry this is my second aibu remembrance day thread - I've got a cold, it's making me intolerant)

So dh went with my parents to the church service and wreath laying in a nearby village. I was laid low at home with myself (cold), dd2 (headache) and dd3 (slapped cheek - COVERED in spots) Two or three folks are always organised in yellow jackets to stop the traffic near to the memorial for the two minutes silence. Today this occurred and the driver of the vehicle stopped and SHOUTED 'D'you own the road??' He was politely asked to wait two minutes which he then did. Now fair enough that people could be caught unawares by the presence of 170 people in the village street but wouldn't you think when asked to wait TWO minutes you would just.....well.....wait - not shout? AIBU?

Sardine, we remember those who have died, or given their time, or mental health, it's not worth getting into an argument over. I have relatives who gave their lives for our peace, a cousin who is abroad at the moment in a war torn country providing relief for the poor.

Each person will have their own reason for keeping silence. Let's respect that

For me the Earl Haig fund is to support ex-service men and women who need help due to their sacrifices. I believe we as society can offer these people support and respect without agreeing with and certainly without glorifying war.

TBH I think Armistice day and Rememberance Sunday are a reminder of the human cost of war and therefore are an advert against war. The services can be used to remember all victims of all wars, they always have in our village.

www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance

Money raised does go here. People do not have to give. They can chose to give to other oraganisations if they wish

The RBL remember those who've served as that is their function. They are there to support veterans and their families. That doesn't mean they don't also individually and as an organisation feel compassion for all victims of war.

I take great exception to the implication that there is no personal connection for many taking part in remembrance services. Personally my family took three poppy crosses along to the service yesterday. They were for the great uncles on both sides of our family who did not return from the 1914-18 war. Our family has been remembering them ever since. We are also deeply thankful for my cousin's safety during his time as a serving officer.

Its not as if its a new thing either - ever since I can remember, at school we always had a 2 min silence if Armistice day fell on a school day.

The village I grew up in always had the centre closed because of walking down to the War Memorial which was at a junction. Anyone that was in a hurry turned round and went another way.

The RBL is a Forces charity and the recipients of its benevolent activities are current or former Services personnel (including National Servicemen, so nigh on the entire older generation) and their dependents.

But the Acts of Remembrance cover all those touched by war - look at the Cenotaph ceremony and the march past (emergency services, other charities, representatives of all religions, evacuees, Bevan boys and war widows), and listen to the actual words of the services - prayers for all touched by war, all casualties, and the remembrance itself which is of the Armistice (the arms falling silent).

Armistice is a worthy aim. Supporting those who have suffered and continued to suffer because the politicians have failed to deliver it is a humane activity.

There seem to be a lot of contradictions about what it is for and what it is all about.

I have been thinking a lot about the ordinary people who were victims of the nuclear attacks on hiroshima and nagasaki recently, and as I understand it remembering people like them is not what remembrance day is about.

The ceremonies themselves and the very clear statement on the british legion website make it clear that rememberance day is about the armed services.

Of course people should and do pay their respects as they feel right, but it is interesting that people eg on this thread are holding ceremonies and services which do not tie in with the statement on the british legion website.

It's just something I've been thinking about recently.

SardineQueen* I know that it's intended to be about members of the armed forces (I was an army wife), but I just choose to spend the two minutes remembering all who died.

Given my family background and the people in it who died, it seems right.

It is absolutely right that you do that, of course.

i just wish that the offical reason was to do with everyone who has died as a result of conflict IYSWIM

I feel really saddend by some of the comments on this thread and also warmed by the lots of more positive posts.

Some people are just so uncompassionate and cynical! Their lives must be crap and lacking in any kind of real genuine warmth.

The RBL fund and their activities are about service personel. The Act of Remebrance is church based and for all victims of war. The two are associated but not the same.
Whoever it was who asked if it was usual to sing God Save the QUeen in church - yes it is in a Rembrance Servise. It is part of the published order of service. Here in Wales we sing our own anthem too.

FRom the C of E official order of service:
We commit ourselves to work
in penitence and faith
for reconciliation between the nations,
that all people may, together,
live in freedom, justice and peace.
We pray for all
who in bereavement, disability and pain
continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.
We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow
those whose lives,
in world wars and conflicts past and present,
have been given and taken away.

The full text can be found here although you have to look as the file covers All Saints to Advent!

The words I have copied can not mean anything other than the Act of Remembrance being for everyone affected by war.

cardibach that is really good to know and useful. Thank you for posting.

Yes thank you cardibach those words make a great deal of sense. I hadn't taken them in before, which is bad.