Remembrance Day Ceremony

Well said, grumpaa and Greyduster those are my thoughts too.It may be that the service is not shortened after all, but I have every sympathy for those concerned.

DH and I stood in Whitehall a few years ago waiting for the Remembrance ceremony to start. All the veterans had been mustered, standing in their places, for a long time before we got there. It takes a considerable amount of time to organise a large body of men and women for such a large parade and it was fairly obvious that some of the very elderly who were still parading were feeling very uncomfortable as it was bloody cold. One or two had to be taken off parade because they were suffering from the cold. Fortunately it was not raining. The parade is bigger now than it was. It used to be purely the three services and civilian elements such as the fire and ambulance services, but now there are many other organisations involved, so the whole thing takes a lot longer to get through. By the time it had finished, a lot of people around us in the crowd were feeling the strain, and we were comparative youngsters. I'm not making any comment about the politics of it, I'm just commenting on the logistics of it.

The veterans are there to honour the dead, their comrades, as well, Anniebach; it becomes about them because they are still alive to be photographed and interviewed.

Especially these last few years I always find myself almost holding my breath watching Prince Phillip negotiate those steps, backwards, in full uniform and with sword. Not because he is Royal just because he is an elderly gentleman.

Every televised national event is politicised whether we like it or not, just as the race to be the first politician to be seen wearing the red poppy.

Whilst David Cameron would be representing the office of PM and not the Tory party I think it unrealistic to expect the other party leaders not to be afforded the same privilege.

It would be politically unacceptable for images of only Cameron laying a wreath to be all over the newspapers and TV news.

In the days of 'spin' that's just the way it is IMO.

Nelliemoser, I do know the difference between the cenotaph service and town and village services, I also know each and everyone are held for one reason only, to honour the dead , not to honour old age

DC probably very disappointed the change isn't happening. If he was the only politician laying a wreath on his own it would have been a great photo opportunity. Much more effective than doing it in a crowd!

Anniebach Ceremonies in local towns are not like the cenotaph in London.
There is one in the nearest town to ours which is very dignified and moving and does not last for particularly long.
The town moved the war memorial from a dreadful 1960s square outside M&S to a specially created memorial garden square outside the library and the Victorian Town hall. That site is now beautiful and dignified it does not matter how long the ceremony is.

There are ceremonies at local war memorials in every village.

So if the queen lives to be 100 the service will be shortened for a further eleven years ?

No it isn't a day for politics neither is it a day for the queen, it is a day for the country to pay tribute to the dead who died for their country

The Queen will be 90 next year. I think she deserves a bit of consideration due to her age. And also the veterans who are getting on a bit now.
As for David Cameron, as Prime Minister what is wrong with him laying a wreath, it is not a day for politics, is it. The leader of the Oppostion then lays a wreath, and all other parties represented in Parliament.
Then many representatives from various organisations follow. It all seems fair to me.

rosesarered, what a load of rubbish and a pathetic excuse to have yet another snipe , I haven't mentioned class or wealth . I have a friend who was a member of a choir, he has had to leave because of throat problems, should the choir be cancelled untill my friend either recovers or dies ?

anniebach, your posts show that 'class' is what drives you in everything, and that the Queen doesn't deserve any thought, simply because she is wealthy.
I think that the Queen and the old veterans do deserve a bit of thought,when the day is often perishingly cold.

We have a veteran who attends the service in our town, it would take a brave person to tell him - we are cutting it short because of your age

Just read it and pleased it is to remain as scheduled for this year. If they want a change it should be done with full discussion with all parties concerned well in advance.

rosesarered , where is the queens compassion for the many who want the service to remain the same, not put on hold untill those who are now unable to physically take part die.

My compassion is for those men who gave up their lives, their widows who struggled to keep their families out of the workhouse - First World War - not for a woman who puts her public appearance above these, I doubt the veterans want the service shortened , many have attended in wheels chairs for quite a few years.

I like to give a Mail warning, I know it's obvious in the link but just in case someone has just accidentally clicked and been transported.

I shall read the Mirror article with interest although it is not a paper I buy. Thank you for providing a link JamJar1. If, as you state, the ceremony is now not to be tampered with then I for one am content with that.

If it is true( Daily Mail) then that has the SNP written all over it!

I think any new plans have been abandoned, just read this, a Daily Mail link.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3287116/Don-t-mess-Cenotaph-ceremony-SNP-forces-U-turn-plan-shorten-service-Queen.html

Where is your compassion now, anniebach? These Are very old people you are talking about, who won't be around forever.After that, the service can go on all day if anyone wants it to!

So only aged royals and veterans are to be considered ? The rest who wish to honour the dead at the cenotaph are to be ignored . The veterans survived , it is not a service for them , it is for the dead

If the queen finds standing for that length of time too much then she can stay at home , she could sit but no way would she, so change the whole service to protect her image. It isn't Rememberance Day it is now queen and Veterans Day

I think you are missing the point which Ana made earlier. It is not DC who is laying the wreath it is the Prime Minister! Please take politics out of a thread where it is entirely irrelevant. In fact what is the point of this thread?

The PM always lays a wreath.It's the 'office' of PM not the particular person.
This is griping for no good reason IMO.

merlotgran I second that

I doubt if shortening the ceremony is just for the benefit of the Queen. It has occurred to me just how old that WW2 generation now are.

The Queen was only 13 when the war started so all those veterans are going to be in their mid 90s. (Apart from any who told lies about their age.)