Remembrance...

[BenBhoy]

I didn’t see any attempt to Refute any evidence pointed out to him about the white poppy.

Just wah waaaah wah , it’s hostile.

I actually expected much better from him.

As I said , wear what you want but remember it was British servicemen ,some just mere children that laid down their lives to afford you the right to do what you want…

A fact that I acknowledged in my first post.

Not moaning/whining as such. Just stating my point. And yet, predictably, the echo chamber kicks in. Anyone dare to be different & it's instant ostracism. But I'm a big boy & more than ugly enough

 

[VSS]

Well yes, something else I particularly do not wish to do. I wasn't going to bring this part into it. If the red poppy was purely about remembering those who sacrificed so much then maybe I would. But when it starts saying it's about supporting the armed forces in general, then I simply can't lend my support to that.

My thoughts too.
I must say, on remembrance day, my thoughts are not only concerned with those young men - of both sides - who lost their lives, but also with the young wives who were left without husbands and the children left without fathers. Again, on both sides of the conflict. Perhaps they suffered more than those who died? They certainly suffered longest.
But most of all, I think of the futility of war, in which there are only ever losers. Respectfully remembering a war of the past, and helping provide support for veterans, is one thing, but potentially supporting a war of the future, and the armed forces in general, is something I'm not prepared to do.

But this is all very personal stuff, and everyone is affected in different ways. We all have our own way of remembering the tragedy of the past, and the senseless loss of life, and no-one should be thought badly of if their interpretation is different from your own, provided that there is respect. And it should not be assumed that, if someone's interpretation is different from your own, that that is in any way disrespectful.

 

[Stalker62]

The west coast of Scotland is particularly ingrained in special operations executive history.
Little memorials in the most remote and random places.

Not the West Coast, but this one on the East Coast at Dornoch has always resonated.

I may be biased: I got married in Dornoch (sorry ladies).

It just seems so far from the World, and all its troubles, and yet even this 'far away' place made its sacrifices.

 

[Dave_45]

A fact that I acknowledged in my first post.

Not moaning/whining as such. Just stating my point. And yet, predictably, the echo chamber kicks in. Anyone dare to be different & it's instant ostracism. But I'm a big boy & more than ugly enough

Your views were soundly challenged and left without response pal.
There was no ostracism asides from inside your own head.

 

[MattJ]

I'm a veteran. I wear my poppy with mixed pride and sorrow. Not because I glorify war, not because I demand or expect recognition, and I don't demand or expect others to follow suit. I wear my poppy in quiet acknowledgement that it signifies both remembrance of those who fell to protect both our freedom and that of others, and the continuance of hope that their sacrifices weren't in vain.

That's why I wear it. I accept the views of those who don't, but they better damn well respect why I do

My sentiments exactly.

 

[Dave_45]

Not the West Coast, but this one on the East Coast at Dornoch has always resonated.

I may be biased: I got married in Dornoch (sorry ladies).

It just seems so far from the World, and all its troubles, and yet even this 'far away' place made its sacrifices.

View attachment 390697

There’s a memorial in Oban that mentions MNE Gordon Macpherson
KIA Falkland’s 82

in the 80s Oban was hardly bustling ,its busier now , the locals still call him Gordon , if that makes sense.

 

[BenBhoy]

Your views were soundly challenged and left without response pal.
There was no ostracism asides from inside your own head.

I'm on holiday with the kids mate, I'm trying to reply in brief as possible without being accused of ignoring people.

Peace

 

[MarinePMI]

But this is all very personal stuff, and everyone is affected in different ways. We all have our own way of remembering the tragedy of the past, and the senseless loss of life, and no-one should be thought badly of if their interpretation is different from your own, provided that there is respect. And it should not be assumed that, if someone's interpretation is different from your own, that that is in any way disrespectful.

And therein lies the crux of the matter. There is no questioning that Remembrance Day is for remembering those that made the ultimate sacrifice while wearing the uniform of their country, in service to their country. Not civilians. Not wives. But for our servicemen. Saying it represents anything else is a misinterpretation of the intent of it. And so it is you sir, that are "misinterpreting" things.

For those of us that have buried brothers in arms, it is deeply offensive for someone else to "misinterpret" the meaning of that day, and use it to push their own personal political statements. The sheer arrogance that some think they can co-op a day for our dead, into something else they support, is slap in the face to all who honor their memories (and carry with them every. single. day.).

As I mentioned before, if people want to make a statement, fine, that is their right. But go do it on another day, and/or at another event. Don't spit on the graves of our brothers, on their memories, on the day of their Remembrance, to satisfy a personal desire to make a statement contrary to the meaning of the day. Show a modicum of respect; either by showing respect, or saying nothing at all. You have 364 other days in the year to make your statements.

 

[willie_gunn]

You have 364 other days in the year to make your statements.

363 actually.

Since 1981 the 21st September has been established as the International Day of Peace, a day dedicated to world peace and the absence of war and violence.

International Day of Peace |

internationaldayofpeace.org

 

[Husky]

Grrr trying so hard to stay respectful & keep this thread decent... Think I'll stay here on the moral high ground & say no more.

Four posts later...... I thought you were saying no more ?

 

[Stalker62]

Falkland’s 82

@Dave_45

It's a funny old world.

I dodged the Falklands. It was 'my war' and I dodged it. I was due to join the regular Army, but my Father had persuaded me to get a 'trade' before I did so.

Consequently, I was working 'nights' as an Electrical Engineer, when that was all 'kicking off', 'Down South'.

Pte. Andrew Walker (Welsh Guards) was killed (along with so many others) on the Galahad. He was in my year at school. To this day, I am unclear why he joined the Welsh Guards. For him, it was all over aged 20. There is not a birthday goes by, without me both blessing and cursing my Father's advice.

This year, in Africa and then in the Highlands of Scotland - I had the privilege of meeting two men who were Officers in the Scots Guards. Both of them were at Tumbledown. One of whom was severely wounded. Both men knew each other, although they had not spoken for fifteen years. It was my utter delight to put them back into contact with each other.

It was a joy to meet, speak and spend time with them both.

I will, (always) wear a red Poppy, in quiet and respectful remembrance of Pte. Andrew Walker ("Yorkie"), the two Officers of the Scots Guards and every Soldier, Sailor and Airman (male and female) who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

There is that rather wonderful saying.

"All gave some. Some gave all".

For a man who gave nothing, the least I can do is wear a Poppy in their honour.

 

[Dazb1967]

Well yes, something else I particularly do not wish to do. I wasn't going to bring this part into it. If the red poppy was purely about remembering those who sacrificed so much then maybe I would. But when it starts saying it's about supporting the armed forces in general, then I simply can't lend my support to that.

OK BenBhoy you have said on more than one occasion that you do not like or support the British armed forces and that is you choice which once again you are entitled to but why didn't you just go and start your own thread about white poppies instead of trying to push forward your own agenda against the British armed forces

 

[Dave_45]

I'm on holiday with the kids mate, I'm trying to reply in brief as possible without being accused of ignoring people.

Peace

Yeah , peace.

@Dave_45

It's a funny old world.

I dodged the Falklands. It was 'my war' and I dodged it. I was due to join the regular Army, but my Father had persuaded me to get a 'trade' before I did so.

Consequently, I was working 'nights' as an Electrical Engineer, when that was all 'kicking off', 'Down South'.

Pte. Andrew Walker (Welsh Guards) was killed (along with so many others) on the Galahad. He was in my year at school. To this day, I am unclear why he joined the Welsh Guards. For him, it was all over aged 20. There is not a birthday goes by, without me both blessing and cursing my Father's advice.

This year, in Africa and then in the Highlands of Scotland - I had the privilege of meeting two men who were Officers in the Scots Guards. Both of them were at Tumbledown. One of whom was severely wounded. Both men knew each other, although they had not spoken for fifteen years. It was my utter delight to put them back into contact with each other.

It was a joy to meet, speak and spend time with them both.

I will, (always) wear a red Poppy, in quiet and respectful remembrance of Pte. Andrew Walker ("Yorkie"), the two Officers of the Scots Guards and every Soldier, Sailor and Airman (male and female) who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

There is that rather wonderful saying.

"All gave some. Some gave all".

For a man who gave nothing, the least I can do is wear a Poppy in their honour.

Similar to me.

Wanted to be an RM long before I wanted to be anything else, father made me get a trade , the minute I “qualified” I was down to the recruiting office and off I went.

A lot of my friends joined the forces , RAF, Irish guards , foreign legion even.

The RAF lad was a baggage handler and left , joined the MET , got some kind of financial investigation qualification and left to work for Barclays,he’s on a right good screw.

I like to Remember the ones that paid the ultimate sacrifice, the ones that carted my bags for me , and the ones in between all and sundry, not just the teeth arms.

My poignant line of the moment is.


“Their name liveth forever more”


And I don’t want that watered down by any other colour poppy.

 

[geoshot]

One of the best "anti war" songs ever written and so very true in so many ways!
Lest We Forget"!

Can hardly listen to that, and never without being on the verge of tears, I listen to Eric Bogle's version
It always make me think of the first of my pals/comrades to die - Karl Blackbourne - and just like "Private William McBride" he was only 19yrs old

 

[FrenchieBoy]

Have you listened to this one @FrenchieBoy ?

No, I hadn't listened to that one before. Thanks for posting it!

 

[Morkai]

No, I hadn't listened to that one before. Thanks for posting it!

Not the usual number from Motörhead.

 

[Stalker62]

Peace

Peace that men and women, have fought and died for.

 

[jall55]

Ye

You see the amount of names on them compared to the sizes of the villages. The number losses to the families must have been huge.

I see family names on my local ones that I still recognise.

Yes brothers - sons - uncles - dads - cousins - friends - and so it goes on - We dont even know we are born today
Simply
Lest we forget

 

[BenBhoy]

OK BenBhoy you have said on more than one occasion that you do not like or support the British armed forces and that is you choice which once again you are entitled to but why didn't you just go and start your own thread about white poppies instead of trying to push forward your own agenda against the British armed forces

Agreed, and I apologise that I let myself get dragged into that bit on a thread like this.

 

[willie_gunn]

as im pretty sure nobody here would consider it a 'holiday' whatever ones personal political leanings.

There is a wide, wide, world out there beyond the confines of our little island.

In the US, Veterans Day on November 11th is what is known as a federal holiday, established by law and observed by the federal government. It is one of 11 such days each year, and is therefore officially a "holiday".

It is the same with ANZAC day in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga.

For those non-UK members who may be confused, in the UK the word "holiday" typically refers to a bucket-and-spade or sun-and-sangria type activity, more like a vacation in the US. Whilst we mark Remembrance Day in the UK with the two-minutes silence at 11:00, we don't classify it as a Public Holiday, which is our equivalent of a federal holiday in the US. If we did, we would probably refer to it as the Remembrance Day Bank Holiday.

"Bank Holidays" are used interchangeably with "Public Holidays", which can be confusing (like much else in the English language!). This term dates back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which made it the law to close clearing banks on certain days of the year, those days then becoming officially designated as Public Holidays.