Is it disrespectful to release fireworks on Remembrance Day?

[TheOriginalEmu]

A bit of an argument on my local Facebook page, a former soldier posted a couple of days ago that it would be nice if people could not set off fireworks today in respect of Remembrance Day.
Someone did set off a couple as they said it was their grandfathers birthday who passed away this year, and it was a way to mark the occasion. Cue a ton of posts calling the person setting them off a moron and rude and disrespectful etc etc

Now, I’m no fan of fireworks, the noise terrifies my autistic child, it upsets my dog a fair bit and I don’t at all understand why they need to be so bloody loud when they don’t need to be.

However, I don’t understand what is inherently disrespectful about fireworks on Remembrance Day? Is this a thing that people generally observe that I’ve somehow not noticed in 45 years on the planet? Or is this just something one person thinks shouldn’t happen and all these other people have jumped on the bandwagon?

Do you think it’s disrespectful today?

No it is not bloody disrespectful to do other things on 11th November so long as you do not disrupt the two minute silence itself.

And PTSD is not worse today than any other day, and no one cares the rest of the time. Veterans need decent bloody ongoing support, not one day of no fireworks to make people feel virtuous.

I think it's a bit tasteless as fireworks are more often associated with celebrations, and whilst the original Armistice Day was without doubt celebrated enthusiastically - maybe even with fireworks - in some places it soon became a day for more somber reflection.
Even though there is nobody left alive who remembers WW1 and not even that many who served in WW2, there have been many conflicts since and I think a lot of people do remember lost loved ones on the 11th, even though the official day is Sunday. The world wars don't feel like they are that long ago to me, as my grandfathers served in WW1, and my great uncle died, and my Dad and Uncles served in WW2.
I am not keen on the somewhat jingoistic spin that is sometimes put onto Remembrance, more so latterly, and I know my Dad and Grandad didn't feel there was anything remotely glorious about war, but there is a lot that we do need to remember from both the world wars and subsequent conflicts. I think it should be a day for reflection not celebration so fireworks seem out of place to me.

Gun salutes were seen as a sign of peaceful intent by visiting ships initially and over time became used for significant events. A bit about it below. So yes gun salutes are seen as different as in this context it’s seen as a mark of respect

www.nmrn.org.uk/news-events/nmrn-blog/6-facts-about-21-gun-salute

changing-guard.com/ceremonial/gun-salutes.html

@nocoolnamesleft

It would seem to be a good day not to go out of your way to trigger the PTSD of veterans, who are probably mourning comrades.

Exactly what i was thinking. But then respect is sadly lacking these days.

Facebook really is an awful place. I judge people who are still members.
It's not disrespectful it's fireworks. The poppy police get worse every year and further away from what armistice Day really means.

When I was young fireworks were usually reserved for bonfire night. Now they seem to be used all the time, before and after.

I wonder if the man was objecting to more than just the celebratory aspect of fireworks. Given that many soldiers in the First World War suffered with shell shock due to the noise, explosions and horrors of war, maybe setting off mini explosions is pretty tone deaf. I tend to agree with him.

I don't think the fireworks have to trigger some ex soldiers ptsd to still be a bad idea. I just think the noise and flashes of fireworks combined with their frivolous nature are a bit disrespectful and lacking empathy.

My great grandfather died in the First World War leaving his wife with 5 small children. A bit of sensitivity doesn't go amiss.

Round here the army does a gun salute for Remembrance. .
That gives pretty loud bangs.
Assuming the fireworks weren't during the 2 minutes after 11, I can't see there is any issue.

Yes it is a bit, I’ve not thought about it before, but I wouldn’t think it appropriate to set off fireworks on Armistice Day.

@Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk

They are saying the same thing in my local Facebook too .... *@TheOriginalEmu* are you in East Sussex?

I was wondering if it was in East Sussex, too.

It's not unusual to have fireworks as part of funerals here, if the deceased was involved in one of the many bonfire societies. And it's the bonfire folk who set off the maroons that mark the beginning and end of the silence on Armistice Day in my town.

Fireworks are a menace and shouldn't be available to the general public, IMO.

Having said that. Former soldiers have no authority (moral or otherwise) to "tell" people not to do this. They can ask but they need to accept that these days everyone only cares about themselves and can't be arsed with respect for anyone else.

But. (and I'm ex forces and from a long long line type of military family going back to the peninsular wars) Remembrance day is on Sunday. And i can get on board with that being observed and respected. Everything else? I can't get excited about it. With the caveat that i think noisy fireworks should be banned.

@CheeseMmmm

Sorry to keep mentioning but what about the gun salutes?

Agreed. PTSD somehow never gets mentioned when it comes to those.

PTSD triggers aren't as simplistic as that either - most veteran PTSD sufferers aren't going to be triggered by bangs.

@knittingaddict

When I was young fireworks were usually reserved for bonfire night. Now they seem to be used all the time, before and after.

I wonder if the man was objecting to more than just the celebratory aspect of fireworks. Given that many soldiers in the First World War suffered with shell shock due to the noise, explosions and horrors of war, maybe setting off mini explosions is pretty tone deaf. I tend to agree with him.

The veteran was a woman. And whilst I understand the connection with ww1 and bombs etc, I also don’t think most vets would object to someone celebrating the life of a family member would they?

@knittingaddict

I don't think the fireworks have to trigger some ex soldiers ptsd to still be a bad idea. I just think the noise and flashes of fireworks combined with their frivolous nature are a bit disrespectful and lacking empathy.

My great grandfather died in the First World War leaving his wife with 5 small children. A bit of sensitivity doesn't go amiss.

I agree, but it’s also insensitive to the family of someone who died very recently to say they can’t remember him…

Fireworks to remember someone who's died is strange, it really is.

I think Fireworks are highly inappropriate on Remembrance day. "Fun" explosions on a day we are remembering those who lost their lives that way

I'm just guessing here.

But I'd imagine most ex forces would be more interested in being looked after properly by the government that recruited them, if they need support due to impacts that had.

Rather than getting angry about this.

Just a guess.

If the fireworks are for Guy Fawkes’ then the 11th is too late for them, regardless of whether it’s Remembrance Sunday or not. I like fireworks but it’s only okay to let them off on 5 November (although perhaps some leeway can be given for a day or two either side).

Having up to 3 weeks of fireworks going off on the evening is not cool.

My gran was in the war and she flinched every time a loud plane flew over head. Every single time.

Marking the end of a war with fireworks seems kinda tasteless to me. You mark the end of a war with SILENCE for a reason.

Yeah, I’m not buying that argument

People should’ve stopped with the fireworks by now but not because it’s 11/11

If the lady wants to remember her dear grandfather with fireworks , she should.

I think making an excuse to let off fireworks because someone has died in your family is ridiculous. If this was acceptable , every day people would be letting off fireworks .that is not a reason that’s acceptable. There are 3-4 maybe five times a year that fireworks should be released, Guy Fawkes, Diwali, Chinese New Year. Maybe one or two others but that’s it. Too many people think it’s okay to let off fireworks that are just loud explosions. Also after 10 o’clock at night sometimes 2 o’clock in the morning there needs to be more control on the sales and more restriction on the use of them.

It is Diwali this weekend and fireworks form part of the celebrations for many. Presumably someone will have an issue with that too.

It's Diwali. So there are fireworks for that now.

I don't get the point of Fireworks ful stop, especially at a time where folk won't be expecting them (so not Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year...).

Fireworks on Armistace Day is a bit thoughtless - given many survivors of WW1 without any obvious signs of shellshock would still flinch at a door being slammed. WW1 being the reason why we have Armistace Day in the first place although the 'survivors' are now long gone.

Surely it's possible to remember a loved one without setting off fireworks? Fireworks are normally used to celebrate Guy Fawkes and the New Year.