World gone mad...

[peter k]

One thing everyone seems to "forget" is that remembrance Sunday isn't all about the soldiers who died in the two world wars. It's about "all" British and Commonwealth soldiers who have ever died in any conflict. I read the other day that there has actually been more troops killed since WWII, than actually died in WWII. Sobering thought!!!

Peter

[MATTBIN]

Lou
a few years ago we 'accidentally' stumbled across the beaches in Normandy where the Yanks landed. We were absolutely over whelmed by a sense of grief and forboding, all very weird and that was before we even realised where we were.
Cant explain it, never felt it before or since.

Matt

[aclivity]

<font color='#810541'>My wife and I went on a short trip to northern France a couple of years ago, I'd been reading some WW1 novels and poetry (this is not like me, really, but I found the whole subject fascinating) and specifically wanted to see the Thiepval memorial.  

There were lots of occasions that made us both stop and think, something like Matt's strange feelings in Normandy, such as:

In the first cemetry we came to, hundreds of little white crosses bearing names and ages.  Virtual children sent from Australia and Canada to die in a foreign field.  One cross had some flowers and a note on it; the brother had come to visit a few days prior to our trip and had left a note to say he still thought about him.

At the Thiepval memorial, you are stunned by the sheer size of the thing.  It is huge.  Every inch of the marble is covered in names of soldiers who were never found.

The grounds around the memorial are pristine, perfectly manicured grass and trimmed hedges.  It was a sunny day, and there wasn't a sound in the air - truly spooky.  Suddenly the quiet was shattered as a couple of phantom fighter jets shot out of nowhere, past the memorial and out of sight before you knew it.  What an image that leaves with me.

The entrance to the Newfoundland memorial park, where the trenches have been kept as a reminder (so close together!) there is a plaque, that reads:
Tread softly here! Go reverently and slow!
Yea, let your soul go down upon its knees,
And with bowed head, and heart abased, strive hard
To grasp the future gain in this sore loss!
For not one foot of this dank wet sod but drank
Its surfeit of the blood of gallant men,
Who for their faith, their hope - for life and Liberty.
Here made the sacrifice - here gave their lives,
And gave right willingly - for you and me.


At all of the memorials there seems to be a calm feeling, maybe it was just me, maybe because these memorials and cemeteries are miles from towns and a bit off the beaten track.

Even just thinking of these things - specially the fighter planes over the memorial - bring a lump to my throat and a slight pricking to my eyes.  

Andy

[Helen F H]

I wanted to go and give blood yesterday, duly went to the session, to find it very busy. &nbsp;i asked how long it would take and was told about an hour and a half. &nbsp;I had to apologise and say i couldnt donate today. &nbsp;The poor woman could not understand why my sodding boss wouldnt let me give blood if it would take more than my hours lunch break. &nbsp;&quot;i dont want you being late&quot;.

We were also frowned upon for wearing poppies (but not told we couldnt). &nbsp;This is because they like to keep animal charities at the forefront apparently (i work at a vets). &nbsp;The mere thought of a 1 min silence would be banished.

[Steve S]

<font color='#000080'>myself and 2 students marked the armistice while on the wessex at stoney today.

&quot;lest we forget&quot;

[Reeve]

<font color='#000F22'>While observing the silence in work today, the silly young YTS girl, on the front desk put a tannoy out in the middle of it. She didn't half get a telling off after.

thankful to be free!
gareth

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Porg @ Nov. 11 2003,18:04)]We were also frowned upon for wearing poppies (but not told we couldnt).  This is because they like to keep animal charities at the forefront apparently (i work at a vets).  The mere thought of a 1 min silence would be banished.

I know how you mean Porg, and it's a signal shame. Your employer needs a beating.

I keep forgetting just how many poor little bunnies, puppy-dogs and kitty-cats gave up their lives in two wars (plus sundry 'off the books' work-outs) for this country and the Commonwealth...

[Andy the Coastie]

<font color='#0000FF'>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I keep forgetting just how many poor little bunnies, puppy-dogs and kitty-cats gave up their lives in two wars (plus sundry 'off the books' work-outs) for this country and the Commonwealth...

And the military vets, stable hands etc .....

Bren , do you remember RATS ,,,,,,,,, little jack russel in Ireland ?

PROG , can i give ya boss a horse kick.

Andy

[andy2tanx]

A book called 'Forgotten voices' has recently been published. &nbsp;This is a word for word transcript of the tapes made after WW1. &nbsp;Sobering and at times dreadful, but well worth reading.

As for not observing the two minute silence... &nbsp;At work we parade outside the station when possible. &nbsp;Imagine the disbelief and anger, whilst observing the silence after the twin towers murders, when a highly souped up car full of young men in baseball caps screamed past, whilst the occupants pretended to mow all the firemen down with a machine gun...

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (andy2tanx @ Nov. 11 2003,20:11)]....Imagine the disbelief and anger, whilst observing the silence after the twin towers murders, when a highly souped up car full of young men in baseball caps screamed past, whilst the occupants pretended to mow all the firemen down with a machine gun...

Yes, by the sounds, a right sad and sorry bunch of recalcitrant neds mate, but it's OK Andy, I'm sure they all have glowing futures flipping burgers or packing cheese into boxes ahead of them. And rarely a sadder sight: white kids (in a car for which they paid £7K - and a susequent £25K adding the woofers-n-tweeters) pretending to be (something they'll never be and just look w@nkers trying) black 'Gangsta Rappers'. Oh how aspirations change - assuming the have any, that is...?

Thanks for the heads-up on the book, shall snag a copy of that soonest.