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Original poster

Lest we forget

65 replies

marthamoo · 11/11/2004 07:24

I always wear a poppy at this time of year (I buy a new one too - don't save it from year to year!) but I have really noticed this year how few people are wearing them. And those who are are mostly elderly - I am one of the youngest people I have seen wearing one.

I was also shocked a couple of years ago when I happened to be in Manchester on Remembrance Day at how few people observed the two minutes' silence - most people just carried on with what they were doing.

So...how many MNers wear a poppy? Does it even matter these days? (I think it does, obviously!)

OP posts:
Original poster
marthamoo · 11/11/2004 22:25

AQ - that's a lovely story

Hester, absolutely agree - Popppy Day isn't a time for jingoism, it's a time to remember all those who died and who lost loved ones.

OP posts:
Original poster
marthamoo · 11/11/2004 22:26

Sorry about the extra p - tired.

OP posts:
whimsy · 11/11/2004 22:34

Myself and ds did the 2 minute silence he was very go 22mths, putting finger to lips throughout saying ssshh (bless)

DH came home none to pleased apparently forman came round at 9.30 telling everyone they would be downing tools for the two minutes as you do. He came back round twenty minutes later fuming about the response he had been given , so insisted that everyone come to the front of the building at 10.55 and if people did not want to participate then just don't use any tools.

Anyway some men thought nothing of drilling throughout so were thrown off site for the rest of the day.
I can't understand people like this, men were moaning about walking down two flight of stairs FFS

carla · 11/11/2004 22:34

Both my gf's died in the war too. The first was deported (Italian, an illegal alien) to Canada, then his ship got torpeedod. The second was English, but got killed in Monte Casino, Italy. Funny, life.

But what I really wasn't prepared for was being in Sainsbury's this morning, hearing a message on the tannoy, bowing my head and just bubbling up

JanH · 11/11/2004 22:38

Aw, carla

I was sat at the PC and bubbled up every time I thought of the Somme - those poor lads. Two minutes concentrated thinking of WW1 newsreels is devastating.

whimsy · 11/11/2004 22:40

DH's grandfather was taken POW by the Italians, but the boat he was being transported on was blown up by the americans

My grandfathers were both in Burma and Nanny a nurse in the war.

whimsy · 11/11/2004 22:42

Americans didn't realise it was a POW ship, as they didn't fly the flag.

Caligula · 11/11/2004 22:47

I was in asda. Very moving, everyone stopped shopping even DD (2 and a half) knew something solemn was happening. And exactly like you Carla, I had to stop myself crying - maybe it was the sight of a very old couple holding each others' hands and quietly crying with each other.

I never buy a red poppy though, as I find the actual remembrance service triumphalist and disrespectful and I hate the militaristic crap that goes along with it. I fail to see why celebrating war rewriting history is respectful of the sons, husbands and fathters who died. And it's high time that the remembrance service had some acknowledgement of the civilians who have died in war.

serenequeen · 11/11/2004 22:48

haven't got a poppy (barely left the house today) but did observe the 2 mins silence.

it's so important to remember the sacrifices of "ordinary" people during WWII. thank god they did what they did.

my uncle was evacuated from dunkirk. he was a seminarian studying in belgium when war broke out. although he was an irish citizen, he decided to leave. his companion broke his leg on the way there and my uncle carried him the rest of the way.

80sMum · 11/11/2004 22:48

Three of my great uncles died in The Great War. What a terrible waste of lives it was. No-one who lost their life in that conflict 'died for their country.' It was an unnecessary war, in which this country need not, and should never have, taken part. People said after it had ended that it was "the war to end all wars." If only that had been true. It seems we never learn. No-one wins a war.

surfermum · 11/11/2004 22:57

My dh fought in the Falklands War and nearly died. I find this time of year very emotional, and thank God that he came home. If he hadn't I wouldn't have met him and we wouldn't have our beautiful dd.

It's important we remember all those who fought in all conflicts, not only those who died, but those who came home, as their lives will never be the same again.

My thoughts are with all those with loved ones in Iraq.

TwoIfBySea · 11/11/2004 23:02

My dad was in the RAF during WW2, he, like many of his generation, don't talk much about what happened. He has told DH much more than my mum or me.

For me, his medals, the photographs and collection he has kept all these years is a great legacy for ds twins who adore their Grandpa. That will help me explain to them what happened.

My own Grandpa lost two brothers and another was severly injured (lost use of his legs) during WW1. The waste of life was so horrific it has to be remembered even if the idiots in charge are still making the same mistakes.

Soupdragon, you can get poppies with plastic stems instead of pins, I got them for ds twins, DH and myself from one of the men in the street. I was ashamed that, despite the old man standing in the pouring rain, he was being mainly ignored.

In fact the state of memorials in this country is shameful. I have been to several memorial grave sites in Holland, they are solemn, thought-provoking places and it would do kids here good to go and see the endless stretch of white stones.

Tinker · 12/11/2004 00:22

Have been on a course all week and we were noting at lunchtime how they (the building) didn't observe 2 miuntes silence . Always wear a poppy but have definitely noticed less this year.

My granddad fought at the Somme. In fact, when he was dying (1986) my brother asked him if he had had the Last Rites and he said "Years ago, First World War" Imagine that? Being forced to do a job where it's expected you might be killed?

hester · 12/11/2004 09:04

Hi nailpolish - no, I didn't go to college in Edinburgh; it must have been my eerie forgotten twin

PeckerPoleover · 12/11/2004 09:32

I always observe the silence and wear a poppy. I was on a course yesterday and it was honoured then too - I would have asked if it hadnt of been. How hard can it be to stop for 2 minutes of your day once a year?

The last post was played at my Granda's funeral by a bugilier (sp?). He was in the war and actually has a diary that he kept from right back then! Its amazing to read, he details lots of things including how many bars of chocolate and pairs of tights he sent home for grandma!

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