Sunday 9 November - Remembrance Day

[Jules G]

Well put Bob.

part of it is the "political correct society" we now live in, dumping down of everything, so we don't offend the "minorities". Ba$tards should get a grip and realize how bloody close we were to talking German.

[Fran]

Just finished reading "Bomber Boys", all about these unsung heroes.

I have that book but havent read it yet. 

I picked it up in a charity shop because my dad (DFC) was in Bomber Command and thought it might give a bit of insight into a subject he would never discuss himself.

F

[landman]

Fran,

It's not what I'd call "an easy read" but well worthwhile your time.

[Andy Zarse]

Well put Bob.

part of it is the "political correct society" we now live in, dumping down of everything, so we don't offend the "minorities". Ba$tards should get a grip and realize how bloody close we were to talking German.

I'm not sure I agree. I cannot see how it's got anything at all to do with political correctness or indeed dumbing down or offending minorities. We simply live in different times to sixty years ago. Sure, all the armed forces are to a greater or lesser extent "heros" but to my mind world class sportsmen, along with aid workers, paramedics, firemen and all sorts of other worthy "unsung" deserve the name "hero".

So who's definition of hero do we use? Lewis, like all racers, risks life and limb. Sure the rewards are huge but so are the risks. Johnny Wilkinson is a true hero in my book. He puts his body on the line for his country and conducts himself in sporting manner. How is that not heroic? It's hardly his fault that he wasn't born in a time when conscription to the trenches was de-rigeur.

[mgmark]

There are two equally valid sub-definitions of the word hero:

1.  A remarkably brave person: somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great physical or moral courage, the will for self-sacrifice, and strength of character.

2. Somebody admired: somebody who is admired for outstanding qualities or achievements.

The second definition refers to the cult of personality, which to some degree or another, has the freedom to happen because of the acts of the first.  On Sunday, unless I'm mistaken, it is some of those who fall into the first category that we are remembering.....it's not just about risking life and limb, it's about why you are doing so. 

MG Mark

[landman]

I think that we know who the true 'heroes' are.

Stand up & salute all of our boys & girls of whatever conflict

 

[shaunv156]

Not long got back from our Rememberance parade in Staffordshire. good to see lots of folk out on the freezing rain young and old. Lest we forget, we WILL remember them.

[mgmark]

Lots of attendances at places various yesterday from the crew here, either locally in Bucks, or at home elsewhere for those not here at weekends.  Comparing notes over a beer after dinner tonight, the feeling is one of a great deal of support from everyone, for both times past and present, which is heartening and probably ironically brought about by current operations as well the various media campaigns for the 90th to ensure that the past is not forgotten. 

Beginning in 1939, the two-minute silence was moved to the Sunday nearest 11 November so as not to interfere with wartime production should the date fall on a weekday.  Recently, people have observed a two-minute silence on 11 November as well, resulting in both Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday being commemorated formally in the UK. 

So please pause for a couple of minutes tomorrow, the 11th of the 11th month at 11 o'clock, which is the true moment at which the guns fell silent, because the orders were to continue the advance until that point, and of course casualties were taken even up to that point on the final day......Canadian George Price is recorded as the last soldier killed in the Great War, shot by a German sniper near Mons, and died at 1058.

Thanks to all contributing and/or just reading, and here's the Kohima Epitaph,

When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today

Mark

[Andy Zarse]

I changed an appointment today which was due to start at 10.30, I think it's important to have an act of collective rememberance tomorrow at 11.00.

PS Chris Z, Simon Z and myself went to the ceremony at the Cenotaph in London yesterday (long story) which meant the alarm went off at 05.00... on a sunday if you please... oh well, it was something I've always wanted to do if for no other reason than to hear Elgar's Nimrod; my own choice of funeral music... 

Also FWIW, we were right up close to proceedings and we saw Queeny, The DofE (lookin' good for nearly 90), Chas 'n' Horseface, the Boys (William's a very tall lad), Anne in her Navy trousersuit, Zara (up on a balcony, and she is well hot! ) Also, saw our gurning slackjawed, one eyed PM G Clown MP, "Call me Dave" Macaroon, oh and that Lib Dem bloke who's name nobody can remember. Finally, also on parade was Mad Thatch having her hand held by John Major, who isn't grey but is looking quite old these days. She used to be Prime Minister you know...

[mgmark]

I changed an appointment today which was due to start at 10.30, I think it's important to have an act of collective rememberance tomorrow at 11.00.
PS Chris Z, Simon Z and myself went to the ceremony at the Cenotaph in London yesterday

My dear chap,

Indeed, I am impressed - a veritable portfolio of gold stars deserved there - and, seriously, a beer or two from me next time we meet!

Mark

[Andy Zarse]

I changed an appointment today which was due to start at 10.30, I think it's important to have an act of collective rememberance tomorrow at 11.00.
PS Chris Z, Simon Z and myself went to the ceremony at the Cenotaph in London yesterday

My dear chap,

Indeed, I am impressed - a veritable portfolio of gold stars deserved there - and, seriously, a beer or two from me next time we meet!

Mark

I concur, shame you can't cach us all on friday.

[Canada Phil]

Once again so many good posts on a subject dear to our hearts.
I recently discovered .....
Mount Kuleski
2494m (8182ft.)
Located west of Lladnar Creek and 5 km west of Sparwood. Park, Major headwater Kootenay River.
Latitude 49; 42; 35 Longitude 114; 58; 50, Topo map 82G/10

Mount Kuleski is in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Many of you know I always visit either the memorial or the graves of the crew who died in the crash of RCAF Halifax near Arnage.
F/O Stephen Kuleski was the Pilot of that aircraft.
 May 1944

Canada Phil

[Doris]

PS Chris Z, Simon Z and myself went to the ceremony at the Cenotaph in London yesterday

Maximum respect Andy.  I look forward to hearing the long story on Friday. 

Sadly I have to report that I am absolutely disgusted that the company I work for do not formally mark the Armistice.  Thankfully Hart Council do.  They had a brief gathering at the war memorial next to the council offices here in Fleet, marked the start and end of the two minute silence with canon fire, and councillors said a few words and prayers. 

Looking at the wreaths once it was over my attention was caught by one for a son killed on 1 April 2007, and as much as today is about something that happened 90 years ago it is also about the conflicts that are being fought today, as well as all those that took place in the intervening years.

Dx

[chop456]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/11/war.vets.photos/index.html

:salute:

[Perdu]

total respect to Andy, Chris and Simon, well done.  

And Mark for formally maintaining our composite presence on the commemoration, thanks all.

Doris, I have to say there's no way that you are really MIA, always there when it matters.

All meeting at the end of the week have a good un.

Just a mention about "work" not commemorating Remembrance Day, some of you will recall I was an AA man for many years and although the despatchers always tried to keep the 11 o'clock slot quiet, when they went to 'automatically despatched by the computer' jobs they couldn't make the software do this on a one off basis every year.

But every Remembrance day they sent out a message at shift sign on that we could leave "acknowledging" jobs until the silence was over, without penalty.

"Ack-ing" on receipt was expected at the rest of the year.

Just a small thing but I respected them for that (if little else)