Sunday
Nov142010
Remembering
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 1:06AM
Before the time comes to be 'Thankful' in the US, we must first remember. If I am not mistaken, tomorrow (Sunday) is Remembrance Sunday- the closest Sunday to Remembrance Day. The day when the fighting stopped in the First World War- 11th Day of the 11th Month, at 11am. Humanity appeared to come its senses at that point... yet proceeded to forget that horrible time and go on to fight another World War, and many other conflicts and wars besides that.
Another reason why I remembered the past this week was looking at pictures from the Heitfelds' European trip, and their time spent in Normandy. Seeing the utter destruction that was wrought upon the beautiful landscape there, and the battle grounds seared into the scenery, really hit home about the brutality of our civilization. Giant bomb holes on the hills; huge concrete bunkers; 14ft guns pointing out to the sea.
At times it seems conflict really is in our nature.
I didn't stop to remember those who died to protect my freedom on Thursday. At 11am UK time I was still fast asleep, and by 11am US time I was at work. In the US, Veterans Day, a day to celebrate all those who sacrificed themselves for their country, falls the same day as Remembrance Day in the UK. Personally, I like the name Remembrance a little better, as it emphasizes the importance of the day.
Most work places, stores and schools all stop for 2 minutes silence on the 11th, to honour those who fought in the multitude of wars the UK has fought. Sunday sees marches of current and ex servicemen and women, in almost every town in the UK, culminating in a gathering around the town's war memorial, and more minutes of silence.
In the US, Veteran's Day saw some state and federal departments close, and I think perhaps a few parades and ceremonies. I know there was a band performing and a big ceremony in the Capitol. But the events didn't seem to me to be as numerous or wide reaching as they are in the UK. Brass bands fill the roads on Sunday, dressed up Cadets and members -old and new- of the armed forces march behind them, followed by a large amount of the general public.
And there were no poppies. I think that the wearing of a red poppy on your lapel throughout early November is a great way to show your support for those who fought and are still fighting for us, raise money for a great cause, and stimulate the mind to remember. Poppies invoke images of the battlefields of France. The British Legion, a charity that looks after the families of ex-servicepeople, sells red paper poppies around the country the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, for around a pound, which you then wear on your coat to show your support. You can also lay a wreath of poppies at memorials around the country, perhaps by the name of a fallen soldier who is related to you. Relatives on both sides of my family fought and fell in the wars.
While I think we do perhaps show a little more pomp and ceremony in remembering past and present wars than the US, I think both countries could do a whole lot better. These should be incredibly important days, seared into the memories of all citizens in both countries. Forget Halloween, Valentines Day, "Bank Holidays", Labor Day etc. etc., lets spend the time, money and energy celebrating something that really matters.
If it's not a public holiday, where everyone attends a ceremony, then it should at least be a day in which a portion of time is devoted to specifically remembering all those who died in the line of duty to keep us free. School children should have classes all day devoted to learning about the past wars. Workers should take the time to stop whatever their busy schedules demand them do, and remember those ancestors who fought so bravely for them.
Maybe that way, by thinking about all those terrifying- at times needless- sacrifices, we might be loathe to send our troops into battle again; or at least make a fuss and ask why they really need to go.
Until then, remembering is the least we can do.
Another reason why I remembered the past this week was looking at pictures from the Heitfelds' European trip, and their time spent in Normandy. Seeing the utter destruction that was wrought upon the beautiful landscape there, and the battle grounds seared into the scenery, really hit home about the brutality of our civilization. Giant bomb holes on the hills; huge concrete bunkers; 14ft guns pointing out to the sea.
At times it seems conflict really is in our nature.
I didn't stop to remember those who died to protect my freedom on Thursday. At 11am UK time I was still fast asleep, and by 11am US time I was at work. In the US, Veterans Day, a day to celebrate all those who sacrificed themselves for their country, falls the same day as Remembrance Day in the UK. Personally, I like the name Remembrance a little better, as it emphasizes the importance of the day.
Most work places, stores and schools all stop for 2 minutes silence on the 11th, to honour those who fought in the multitude of wars the UK has fought. Sunday sees marches of current and ex servicemen and women, in almost every town in the UK, culminating in a gathering around the town's war memorial, and more minutes of silence.
In the US, Veteran's Day saw some state and federal departments close, and I think perhaps a few parades and ceremonies. I know there was a band performing and a big ceremony in the Capitol. But the events didn't seem to me to be as numerous or wide reaching as they are in the UK. Brass bands fill the roads on Sunday, dressed up Cadets and members -old and new- of the armed forces march behind them, followed by a large amount of the general public.
And there were no poppies. I think that the wearing of a red poppy on your lapel throughout early November is a great way to show your support for those who fought and are still fighting for us, raise money for a great cause, and stimulate the mind to remember. Poppies invoke images of the battlefields of France. The British Legion, a charity that looks after the families of ex-servicepeople, sells red paper poppies around the country the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, for around a pound, which you then wear on your coat to show your support. You can also lay a wreath of poppies at memorials around the country, perhaps by the name of a fallen soldier who is related to you. Relatives on both sides of my family fought and fell in the wars.
While I think we do perhaps show a little more pomp and ceremony in remembering past and present wars than the US, I think both countries could do a whole lot better. These should be incredibly important days, seared into the memories of all citizens in both countries. Forget Halloween, Valentines Day, "Bank Holidays", Labor Day etc. etc., lets spend the time, money and energy celebrating something that really matters.
If it's not a public holiday, where everyone attends a ceremony, then it should at least be a day in which a portion of time is devoted to specifically remembering all those who died in the line of duty to keep us free. School children should have classes all day devoted to learning about the past wars. Workers should take the time to stop whatever their busy schedules demand them do, and remember those ancestors who fought so bravely for them.
Maybe that way, by thinking about all those terrifying- at times needless- sacrifices, we might be loathe to send our troops into battle again; or at least make a fuss and ask why they really need to go.
Until then, remembering is the least we can do.
Reader Comments (2)
The services last night at the Festival of Rememberance and this morning at The Cenotaph were very moving as usual. There was a group marching this morning from the US Marine Corps League, marching with British Marine Corps veterans from The Korean War.
One of the reasons we have no celebrations or anything is because people (especially young people) don't know anything about American military history other than World War II and the holocaust. If you ask an American student about the First World War, they'll be like, wait is that the Hitler one? The one with the Jews?
... no clue.