Given it's now passed I thought I'd vent my steam. In recent years Remembrance Sunday has become Poppy Day. It robs the day of its purpose, which is a specific, sombre contemplation of the dead lost to war. Now it's about visibly displaying the poppy, have you got one, is it big enough, here's my tattoo of a poppy, here's the Somme in my front garden, here is [brand] cashing in with cheap tat and platitudes please buy it, and visible displays of poppy worship stenciled on any flat surface you can attack. It isn't 'we won the war fuck everyone else' , it's about the generations of soldiers and civilians who have been chewed up and obliterated by war. Edit - typos.
Do you ever feel like you are being lied to?
" The Queen pulled out of Remembrance Sunday commemorations after spraining her back.
The monarch, 95, had been under doctors’ orders to rest for almost a month after spending a night in hospital in October, but, until the last minute, was expected to attend a service at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday.
Buckingham Palace said there was a late change of plans following her injury. A wreath was laid on her behalf by her son, Charles, the Prince of Wales."
Just wanted to say that I went to my first Remembrance Sunday service in St. Peter's Square today, and it was an extremely moving and well organised service, with people of all faiths and none represented. I know that remembrance day and the wearing of poppies can be slightly controversial to some. However I would hope that everyone could agree that thinking of those who have died in war whether for good or for ill, is worth a couple minutes of our time.
We will remember them.
This Sunday is remembrance Sunday in the UK (as in many places). The closest Sunday to Armistice Day (11th November).
By tradition many churches have a time of silence at 11:00 to acknowledge the death of those who fought wars (our own soldiers especially, but even those we fought against). It's a time to acknowledge those who serve and have served, and to help those who were injured in their service.
All in all a good and useful time for individuals and the nation. Mostly it's been preserved from partisan politics.
My challenge has always been the insertion of these things to a worship service, particularly for those places who are mid-service at 11:00am.
It varies from place to place. Some churches essentially have a veterans parade, with flags and honours. Others may have the period of silence at 11:00 and then carry on as usual. Others may not acknowledge it at all, as the worship service is to God, not man.
I'd be really interested to hear what the thinking is from this community. Do you? Would you? If you do include it in your service, how do you ensure you are not adding a responsibility to people that God does not place on them?
Thanks in advance.
I thought a poetry corner for tomorrow may be appropriate.
My starter for 10, for Swampies everywhere when they feel it's all getting too much:
Arthur Hugh Clough
Say not: “The struggle nought availeth,”
“The labour and the wounds are vain,”
“The enemy faints not, nor faileth,”
“And as things have been, they remain.”
If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.
For while the tired waves, vainly breaking
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main.
And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light,
In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright.
"Remembrance Sunday, 11th November." I stared into the mirror, defeated, a painful swallow wretched in sorrow. "How many more do we have to lose." My voice breaks, my tough exterior cracks. "How many more, how many more.
What happened to Emojifier, oh that bot, they who disappeared so many nights ago?
What happened to the rating bot, oh that bot, how I regret calling its ratings 'utter shit'.
What happened to our lord and saviour, Cummy, who died for all of us?
And the rest, God, the rest." I punched the mirror, glass shattering across the room, pricking my hands. I watched in a maelstrom of emotions as blood trickled down my hands. "There are too many to count. Who are you remembering on remembrance sunday?"
Hope someone can help me. I’m looking for any Remembrance Sunday events in Southampton city centre or St Mary’s, I was hoping to pay my respects (I’m in the merchant navy school at Warsash, so I feel it’s the proper thing to do). Thanks in advance :)
I have been selected to represent my force at Remembrance Sunday this year. I'll be honest, this is both exciting and a bit daunting.
My tunic more or less still fits as much as any uniform ever has. I've been meaning to order a new set of Altberg Boots and I'm wondering if I bull those or goes for shoes?
I'm pretty comfortable with drill as I've taught it to cadets, but many of my colleagues aren't. I want to run through this with them, but I'm not sure what to expect. Does anyone know wheat the routine is?
Gloves, yay or nay?
Any other suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
Watching the repeat of the ceremony at the cenotaph from earlier today with grandma. She's having trouble contemplating that it's a repeat of something she missed earlier. ("Why is it light there, but dark outside")?
But she loves singing along to the tunes the marching bands are playing. it seems to bring something up.
