Remembrance Day 2019

D Walker

D Walker

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Not really sure how to go with this. As a lot of you know, I was a soldier for 22 years. I’ve not been to a remembrance parade for 11 years ( finished in Sept 2008), mainly because I’m conscious In public etc. I was just wondering how many of you have been and wil attend on Sunday. I am going to go this Sunday after being persuaded by a couple of friends, and to be honest I am not looking forward to it. Memories and friends lost is tough, but at the same time, I’m conscious I should pay my respects. Normally I take myself away for 2 minutes ar 10:59.
Do any of you go to a remembrance parade?
 
DaveT

DaveT

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2,831
Yes, I go every year to the service in the converted barracks where I live.

No personal connection to the military as such apart from grandparents served in WW2. Huge respect for those who serve/ have done so.
 
Wattie

Wattie

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8,640
D Walker said:
Not really sure how to go with this. As a lot of you know, I was a soldier for 22 years. I’ve not been to a remembrance parade for 11 years ( finished in Sept 2008), mainly because I’m conscious In public etc. I was just wondering how many of you have been and wil attend on Sunday. I am going to go this Sunday after being persuaded by a couple of friends, and to be honest I am not looking forward to it. Memories and friends lost is tough, but at the same time, I’m conscious I should pay my respects. Normally I take myself away for 2 minutes ar 10:59.
Do any of you go to a remembrance parade?
Click to expand...
Tough one for you as it’s obviously very personal.
I don’t think anyone would think less of you if you chose not to attend. It’s clearly very emotional and as you say you pay your respects in your own special way - which is the important thing.
I haven’t been in the forces or in the situations that you faced so have no concept of the memories and their impact.
All the best with the day and thanks to all those that serve/d.
 
rockits

rockits

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9,172
I agree with most sentiments here Dave. It is totally personal, your preogative and you should pay your respects how you see fit as to what suits you best.

I live my life very much by what I think and although far from selfish care less about what others do or think.

I can only imagine what men, women and let's face it....children go through during a war or any conflict. Don't feel pressured into doing what others do out of a sense of duty. Your duty has been duly served.

As long as.you do remember, pay your respects and reflect in your own way, in your time at your pace I see zero issues here.

There is obviously a mental health issue for all survivors or relatives to think of. The last think anyone needs is to have medium to long terms issues develop due to reliving history. We are all different and deal with things in different ways. There should be no issue with this full stop.

I am eternally grateful for the blessed and fortunate life I have lived and am living. It is through many others selflessness and sacrifice that this is possible. I like to think by working hard, being honest, decent and giving everything my best shot that I am able to in some way pay that sacrifice back every day.

My thoughts and best wishes are with you Mr Walker
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,153
Dave, while I fully understand the 'less we forget' you don't need a seramony to remind you. If you chose to go or pay your respects etc from your own home you will never forget and no one will judge you either way. Most can will never understand what you and others like you have gone through and you have our thanks. This is personal to you as said above.
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

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16,224
Sometimes I feel that there's a peer-pressure to wear a poppy, attend a parade, wear your old beret or even for a village to put up banners or have an outline of a soldier.

Of course we will all remember lost friends and/or relatives lost, not just in war but in peace. However, we all mourn/remember them in our own way and no-one should deny that.
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

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Yeah, if we’re going to judge you, Dave, it won’t be on the matter of how you choose to remember your mates. Your thoughts and memories are yours and yours alone. Recall them wth sadness, tenderness and laughter in your own way, time and place.

To answer your question, we always go to the ceremony in the village. I think about my grandfather, a navy-man, my father who did his National service in the RAF, my Godfather and uncle, another navy man who served at D-Day, in the Arctic Conveys and, later, working on the Mulberry Harbour. He’s still going strong, that one. A short service is never long enough, really.
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

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20,270
Echo much of the above, no military background myself except a father who did national service at the end of WWII and ended up in India for partition, only in his final months did he talk about it in any depth and literally during my last lucid chat with him did he let on he was in the liberating force into Afghanistan!

As a kid I had no involvement in Remembrance Day. When I started as an apprentice at 16 the first year I was asked to ‘prepare’ one of the war memorials and to ‘usher’ on the Sunday and I have to say it moved me. I have ever since observed it in some way, most years I walk down to the big one at Romford, on my own and stand quietly at the back.

Many years ago I was on a London bus at 11.00 and it is a standing instruction to drivers that as it approaches they get an announcement on their radios and at the next stop they can pull up and turn their engines off, many passengers will stand and be respectful, this particular driver I remember ignored if and thought if great to sail past traffic and other busses making up time, I can assure you within half a minute he had been told in no uncertain terms to stop the bus and do as he was told by a number of passengers.

Each to their own but however you choose to do it it must not prevent others from their thing.

Tomorrow, we will likely be at Stanstead airport and I’ll be sure to stop a while

Last month Benny and I went to the Menin Gate where it is observed EVERY evening and the crowds are incredible.
 
FF1078

FF1078

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I go every year, I'm a member of Humberside Fire & Rescue Ceremonial Team and in 2016 I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the London ceremony which was vary apt for me as my great grand father lost his life in The Battle of The Somme in 1916. That was one of the hardest things I've ever done, I know it doesn't sound much but to march and stand for 3 hours is hard work, there where a few military guys faint under the strain of blood pooling etc. but I felt thankful I could give 3 hours of my time to thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us.
My Great Grand Fathers service number was 3, just 3. That is the lowest service number I've ever seen. I've been accross to his grave several times to pay my respects and I'd like to attend the Menin Gate at least once in my life.
However you chose to pay your respects Dave is your choice and it's very personal but as long as you stop and have a moment no matter where you are I'm sure it's appreciated by many including myself.

Lest we forget.
 
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daverichardson

daverichardson

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6,001
Mate my only advice would be go.
There is nothing good about losing a loved one - believe me I know.
It will be hard, very very hard. These things make us stronger too.
I also have quiet moments to myself to remember and I need that too
 
Scaf

Scaf

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6,573
I have never served and am not aware of any of my family who have in more recent times, of course I had grandparents that served in both world wars.

I have the utmost respect for those that have or do, both the living and those that never came home. I wear a poppy and regularly donate to causes that support those that serve / served.

On Remembrance Sunday I will try to get to a local parade, but my attendance or none attendance does not detract from the respect and humility I feel for our armed forces, both past and present.
 
linescanner

linescanner

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299
A lot of guys I served with still get fully dressed up, medals, blazer, beret etc. It is not something I have been comfortable with either. We all have our own ways to pay respects, I, like you prefer to pay mine in private.
 
Swindorski

Swindorski

Junior Member
Messages
37
D Walker said:
Not really sure how to go with this. As a lot of you know, I was a soldier for 22 years. I’ve not been to a remembrance parade for 11 years ( finished in Sept 2008), mainly because I’m conscious In public etc. I was just wondering how many of you have been and wil attend on Sunday. I am going to go this Sunday after being persuaded by a couple of friends, and to be honest I am not looking forward to it. Memories and friends lost is tough, but at the same time, I’m conscious I should pay my respects. Normally I take myself away for 2 minutes ar 10:59.
Do any of you go to a remembrance parade?
Click to expand...
Do what YOU feel like doing. Sometimes I go, sometimes I don't... I've had some amazing impromptu Sunday sessions after the ceremonies and sometimes I just don't want to be anywhere near it. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an absolute must that the ceremonies take place and I'm heartened to see the public en mass showing their support and remembrance for those that went before them but I personally don't feel that I need to go and stand in a crowd to do that. I, like you, have done my bit. It's now my choice how I remember.

I did 19 years in the Army (voluntary redundancy got me out 3 years early!)
 
jasst

jasst

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2,316
I will be going, as my youngest daughter is in the TA, and will be marching through Sherborne to a service at the Abbey, we must never forget.
 
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