Candles lit

I lost a son in law in Afghanistan, but gained two foster sons from there stansgran. My candle was lit for remembrance and as a flicker of hope that peace will prevail, if not in countries then at least between individuals.

Stansgran - did you really mean that?

goldengirl; I think I felt pretty much the same as you.

I too had very mixed feelings last night and before and since. I just don't like religion being brought in to it. I watch the parade and wreath laying at the Cenotaph in November but the religious part leaves me irritated and I switch it off though I guess some people will find it a comfort

Stansgran "Useless countries" like Northern Ireland and Afghanistan - so all the people of Afghanistan and Northern Ireland have no respect for life? Which countries, in your opinion, are worthy of being described as having respect for life?

I didn't light a candle. I will when we stop sending young people to useless countries who have no respect for life, whether it be Northern Ireland or Afghanistan. I say we because we vote for the politicians.

I didn't light a candle. I suppose my feelings are similar to GA & Eloethan's

I have very mixed feelings about these events

Me too. I sat in candle-light with a photo of my grandfather, and his medals. The service from Westminster Abbey was very moving, I thought.
But I agree with the comments about our selling arms etc....
Nevertheless, it is appropiate to honour those who fought and died, and just hope that someday mankind will learn .
I think it was well supported here too, the whole area seemed to be in darkness.

I lit a candle too. So did many on my street.

But, in response to GA's and Eloethan's post, all we have to do is to look at the map of Europe in 1914 and see what a mess the Treaty of Versailles in 1918 made of slicing up so many territories. We are living with dreadful consequences of those decisions now.

It was amazing - at 10pm my lights were turned off, candles lit. I looked out through my curtains and my neighbours behind and in front had all turned their lights off too. It was very moving.

I did light candles, it was something I needed to do.
G.A. I totally agree with you, and I am increasingly frustrated by the fact that so many 'ordinary' people despise war and all it brings, whilst our leaders continue to march us to war, continue to sacrifice the lives of young soldiers, and continue with the arms trade.
Jingle it MUST stop! (Saying that, I do realise that my thoughts count for little!)

We lite a candle at 10, went outside and most of the houses in the road were in darkness!

I went to my local music session tonight and at 10.00pm the lights went out and we were left in candlelight, and for an hour sang/played old war time songs. It was very poignant but in my head were only the words 'why'? and 'how many more'?

Part of my response is because I'm substituting for my daughter as she is unable to tend her late husband's grave this week and it's just such a poignant reminder to stand at a war grave in 2014 and think of so many others lost down the years.

The best tribute we could ever pay to the fallen would be to learn from the past and stop making the same mistakes all over again.
That said, I was moved to see how many houses in the village had candles in their front windows and no lights on, when I took the dog out for her bedtime walkie about 10.30.

SuFlay How true that poem is and how sad.

grannyactivist I so agree with you. I would go further and say there is really no point to these "commemorations" because wars continue, and those politicians who assume sombre expressions and make solemn speeches are the same ones that cheerlead for the arms industry.

I'm feeling very out of sorts with this commemoration of the start of WWI - I can't help but think that it was a simple waste of many more young lives than it needed to be and that little has changed in a hundred years. Politicians commit their armies to war and young people go off thinking it's all a jolly patriotic jaunt to save the world and come home (or don't come home at all) with missing limbs and damaged minds.......

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning ,
We will remember them.

Mega business rules, innit?

In the midst of the sadness there is a part of me tonight that feels really, really angry that we (rightly) pay tribute to those who have died and yet at the same time our country continues to sell arms and enter into conflicts that inevitably leads to yet more needless loss of life.

I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return

WH Auden

Us too. Would post a photo, but can't see an upload link.
Visited Ypres last year and saw where great uncle worked as a doctor. Great respect.

The service at Westminster Abbey has just begun. Camilla, representing the Queen, looks very nervous.

Is this her first big solo gig?

There is no hope that wars will cease.

Sorry.

I thought you were asking if anybody was going to 'turn off their lights' at 10pm?

I am. Are you OGM?