Captain Tom

[Parker231]

Sad news just announced - he has died today.

@LemonViolet

I didn’t know that he wrote a children’s book! Looks lovely, I guess the proceeds would go to his foundation

One Hundred Steps: The Story of Captain Sir Tom Moore ]]

I gave this book to two little people for Christmas... 💙

My father had a fatal heart attack in hospital. His wife, my brother and I were not there as no one was expecting him to die. So he died alone in effect in 2017. I don’t begrudge anyone who gets to spend time with a dying family member. How could I? It would be cruel and pointless.

I never knew him, what was he like?
It's sad when someone dies and it's also very sad to end with something like Covid. But I don't know him..I've known 6 people well that have died this year (not from Covid just to add)

I find it weird those who bang on about “faux grief” and “hysterical outpourings”

It is perfectly possible to hear this news and feel a pang of grief even though we didn’t know him. His charity walk was at the beginning of lockdown 1. It was a weird time for everyone and it obviously became something uplifting that a lot of people latched onto - the smallest piece of “feel good” can provide hope to lots.

The “grief” part is just that it invokes memories of what we’ve all lost at some point. And it’s not just with his passing, it’s on all of our commemorative occasions. The photos of times gone by - remembering my grandads in their uniform (both were handsome buggers!), my Nan with her beautiful hair, the photos of my grandad with his unit on Christmas Day in a tent somewhere overseas. It’s an acknowledgement that another one has now gone - and, even though he lived a long life, it’s ok to say it’s still sad.

Ive lost loved ones in ways that aren’t ideal. I’ve lost loved ones who, to me personally, have achieved much in their own quiet ways. But that doesn’t mean I can’t feel a sadness at his passing - let alone begrudge what has resulted in the last 10 months of his life.

RIP Captain Tom

Wise words, @Furries.

I think Captain Tom made a big impact because his story was something positive, at a point where things really didn't have much positivity at all. And as far as I can see, he was a good chap, who did something pretty amazing for the NHS charities - so if people want or need someone to look up to, surely it's better to look up to someone like Captain Tom, than to some influencer who uses filters to make their followers believe that fake tan works better than it actually does.

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

Wise words, *@Furries*.

I think Captain Tom made a big impact because his story was something positive, at a point where things really didn't have much positivity at all. And as far as I can see, he was a good chap, who did something pretty amazing for the NHS charities - so if people want or need someone to look up to, surely it's better to look up to someone like Captain Tom, than to some influencer who uses filters to make their followers believe that fake tan works better than it actually does.

I agree with that.

A story about an old man raising £32m for NHS charities is newsworthy at any time and more so when the NHS is struggling so much during a pandemic.

Beautifully put, @Furries.

captaintom.org/. Think of donation to his foundation

I think instead of putting up a statue ,at great expense, Captain Sir Tom would have enjoyed having a brand new hospital named after him . The joy of what he stood for, in the midst of a global pandemic ,would forever be remembered.

He seemed a lovely man but I don't get the outpouring of grief for someone of 100 who had a lovely life. Maybe these people 'grieving' could volunteer to help the thousands of lonely old people in the uk.

The thing I don’t get is why people don’t understand that he was a symbol of hope and optimism at a dark time. The 100 laps round the garden are the least relevant part of this. Tom Moore embodied resilience and making the best of a bad lot and that resonated with a huge number of people when the world was dark. The grief is an indication of how much all that he represented is valued.

More a symbol of effective PR though surely? It wasn't him, it couldve been any one doing something that captured the nation (others were doing similar things with great disabilities and challenges). He just happened to have a PR daughter and family with government connections. He did lift people but lets not pretend it wasn't highly orchestrated.

Of course it was orchestrated but if there had been no public appetite for it, no amount of PR would have worked. There was a psychological need for positivity, hope and optimism and he came along and filled it. You’re right, it could very easily have been someone else and, if it had been, the same thing would be happening when that person died. We need symbols of hope in times of despair.

He did indeed embody resilience and he is one of the few people I can think of who are actually inspirations to me. He had many ups and downs in his life but overcame them and led a very full life. I'm sorry he's not around any more but I do appreciate he had a full innings and died a peaceful death. I hope we can have an appropriate and inspirational memorial for him.

No mention of him now at all I notice ! As usual there's a lot of hype then it's never mentioned again.

If only. It'll be bought out when the government need a deflection from something.