Today at the Cenotaph

I do not ‘enjoy’ it as such but it is a time when I privately remember, with gratitude the bravery and self sacrifice of our armed forces both past and present. My thoughts always go to my dear paternal grandfather who fought in the trenches in the Battle of the Somme in WW1 and my maternal grandfather (did not know him that well, unfortunately) who joined the RN at 17 and was present at the Battle of Jutland, in a rescue ship, picking up and giving aid to injured men They survived and didn’t have the easiest of lives after those horrific experiences, I am sure, as PTSD was not really recognised then. So many others, so much gallantry. We should be humbly grateful to them all.

Agree with RosiesMaw about military music and the musicians; there is nothing quite like it. Always makes me emotional to hear it.
And agree with Musicgirl about the musicians; many of them have been through one of the Royal Academies/Colleges of Music and have music and performance degrees. The competition to join a band is extremely fierce, and there is a gruelling performance audition. They are professional musicians in the full sense of the word. And also serving members of the armed forces who can be called upon to fight.
I have been fortunate to have seen many of the top bands due to working, or being posted abroad, to military settings. Have seen the bands in concert performances and on military and ceremonial duty.

As my Father was one of the lucky ones rescued at Dunkirk then posted as 'missing presumed dead' when he was one of Monty's Desert Rats, later found in a hospital, I always watch the Parade and shed a few tears and feel blessed that he did come home at the end if WW2. There is so much pride in the bearing of the 'old Warriors' on parade and I just love watching them. As my late Husband was in the Fleet Air Arm, I also enjoy seeing the Royal Navy contingent.

In Denmark, where we still have national service, military musicians are professional musicians who apply when appearing before the medical board to be allowed to serve in the various military bands.

I agree Britian has some very fine military bands, but you are being a little parochial you know.

Anyone who saw the last Bastille day celebrations from Paris cannot possibly have forgotten the bands or the singing of L'Hymne de la Résistance or La Marseillaise by soldiers.

We've been to concerts by military bands and the music they play is not always military style:

An excerpt from a concert in St Michael's Cave, Gibraltar:

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Df73rGW6pTe8&ved=2ahUKEwiT75qKlMGCAxXSVUEAHdmlBpkQtwJ6BAgVEAE&usg=AOvVaw33mJP9yxbdtIUR-l6-HL-F

There are Military Schools of music and, if not already qualified to degree level in music, musicians can train to a very high standard after joining these colleges, including to degree level through Forces schemes.

Their principal rôle is as musicians although they could be called on to perform other duties if the need arose.

I too find the service, and the local parades, deeply moving. I so wish this country did more to support the armed forces when they retire, or are forced to leave because of health problems or injury. No ex military people should be sleeping on the streets. My dear Father wouldn't send for his WW2 medals - he was too traumatised, I now realise, and wanted to try to forget, although in his last months of life so much came back to him, and he told us - and then was angry with himself for doing so. I sent for his medals some years ago. Bless you, Dad, and all those who bravely protect us all.

Yes I did see it Grandtante and I found them frankly a little ridiculous .
I have also heard military bands at remembrance occasions in France and they do not come close. Frequently shrill, “tinny”, not particularly tuneful. German “oompah” bands likewise are quite different.
No I am not being parochial - even US marching bands (who are not necessarily serving men and women) are not in the same class.

“Even US marching bands (who are not necessarily serving men and women) are not in the same class”
Unless, RosiesMaw you count The ‘President’s Own’ US Marine Corp Band, who are so good they knock your socks off, whether playing Souza or Holst or Respighi. I’m a huge fan of our military bands and nothing beats the feeling of marching behind your own regimental band.

I realise this is a bit late as I was under the weather yesterday.
I do not think anyone can dispute the gratitude or pride most of our countryfolk feel for veterans.
The people causing upset on this occasion were far right extremists who attend for their own nasty agenda.

Fuelled by Suella Braverman. In no way Patriotic.

My father, my mother, myself and my husband all served and am proud of the people we served with and have deserved before and in the future. Remembrance is to remind ourselves of the horror or war. It is not a celebration and means a lot to many of us who served. My deepest sympathy goes to those who served and suffered, whatever the war. I really felt proud to see the young army cadets marching and playing music on Saturday , so much hope for the future.

Served not deserved sorry for any typos. Out walking the dog in hideous wind and reading and writing on the go.

So heartwarming to see this thread. Like most of you we will never forget. My father was in the army having joined up at the beinning of the war. He was in Africa and Italy where he was engaged in the battle of Monte Cassino. My mother, like all parents had to face the bombing alone and had lodgers brought to their doors because so many were bombed out. I salute the veterans and the women left hehind bringing their children up alone. What a wonderful ceremony it was yesterday.

British military music is excellent, but far from unique. America is very good at it, and Russia’s various ‘Red Army’ ensembles are world-class.

Well obviously no one noticed the sculpture to the Women of WW11. How very strange.

Always so patriotic. Watching the march past the Cenotaph and listening to our amazing military bands always fills me with pride.
My dad was missing believed killed. He was eventually rescued from a Japanese POW camp. A wonderful, gentle man, he never spoke of it, but he was quite a wreck for most of his life. So sad.

My dad was a ground mechanic during the war and his brother, my uncle, was a rear gunner. They both survived fortunately and my dad lived until age 94. My uncle died younger with Alzheimer’s. I was in the WRAF in the 70s and married to a flight sergeant so I am always proud to watch the cenotaph ceremony. The music is marvellous and always brings a tear to my eye, we do these solemn occasions so well in my opinion.

I always watch it through tears and feel privileged to be British.

Nanatoone

Served not deserved sorry for any typos. Out walking the dog in hideous wind and reading and writing on the go.

Am really impressed you can dog walk in this weather and still
Make sense in your comments, typos or not.😁