Today at the Cenotaph

I found it quite sad that Prince Harry wasn't there to honour the people he served with. His choice, of course, to live elsewhere but he must feel the absence at times like today.

Urmstongran

With respect, I don’t think we the public ‘enjoy’ it quite as such vampireequeen I’m saddened you see it that way. It’s the only way we can, in sorrow and gratitude, pay our respects. Wearing our poppies with pride and thanks for all the brave servicemen and women is a part of that.

This and very much so. I feel proud and so do my family

Indeed vampirequeen. 😊
Thank you.
x

We'll just have to agree to differ on that, Urmstongron. But that's the nice thing about this site. We can disagree but not fall out.

Yesterday I went to the Armistice service in our churchyard in Normandy. In a very moving ceremony I joined the people of our village to remember the French dead and to pay my respects to the British typhoon pilot who died here in 1944 and has a beautifully kept memorial.
I watched the British ceremony today. Both ceremonies were deeply poignant.

With respect, I don’t think we the public ‘enjoy’ it quite as such vampireequeen I’m saddened you see it that way. It’s the only way we can, in sorrow and gratitude, pay our respects. Wearing our poppies with pride and thanks for all the brave servicemen and women is a part of that.

That's it, Grandma 70s. He's worked hard to box up those memories and bury them. They still creep out in nightmares sometimes though. He never forgets his friends who were killed or maimed but he hates the public day of remembrance with all it's pomp and circumstance which is mainly 'enjoyed' by people who have no idea what being in the armed forces is really like. And, lets be honest, look what happened this year when all those 'patriots' got drunk and attacked the police near to the cenotaph. That's not what remembrance is about.

I understand your feelings, vampirequeen. Many ex-soldiers won’t wear a poppy, or do anything in remembrance of things they want to forget.

I watched it and was full of pride and hearing the shouted commands from the officers in the silence, always sends a tingle down my spine. And hearing ‘Nimrod’ by Elgar is always very moving.

We never watch it or attend any remembrance services. My DH is still suffering from his experiences in the Gulf War and it all becomes too much for him. He hasn't told me much but even the bits he has told me are too horrific to post on here.

Kenya not attending for the wreath laying, apparently.
(Liz Truss and co were there).

Must say I love the fact that we still have a ‘First Sea Lord’, not some mundane modern phrase.

The whole service was very moving. The music was fantastic as it was last night at the Festival of Remembrance.

Agree, wholeheartedly.

It’s such a sad occasion but I feel overwhelmed with pride watching all our servicemen and women. The military bands are wonderful. To play musical instruments while marching is incredible!

Yes, I agree. They are marvellous and always bring a lump to my throat.

Good point. Our military bands are wonderful.