Remembrance Day 2019

outrun

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Interesting thread Dave. My papa, who recently passed away aged 99.5, was a field nurse who witnessed the evacuations, d-day and everything in between. He died unfortunately just a week before the d-day anniversary where he was due to be on the cruise ship that was chartered to bring the surviving vets to the beaches. He always wore a poppy but rarely talked about his experience so I understand why you have an internal dilemma. In the end, we are all different and so how you chose to mark the occasion is personal. Whichever way you choose, respect to you pal. One love.

Personally speaking, i have utmost respect for those who stand up and be counted. Irrespective of the political reasons why this happens, i have massive respect for anyone that chooses to be counted. When it come to the war and the Great War, i can’t even imagine the fear that millions had and i hope that my children never have to experience it.
 

RSM Masser

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2,437
I always attend, as I am still serving in the Reserves as a Quartermaster. This year I was a Marshall on the Lord Mayor's Parade on Saturday - got very wet in the afternoon and got home with zero creases in uniform and smelling like a wet donkey.
Sunday was my local memorial service in church followed by a parade at the War Memorial outside. Later that day I did something very different, an afternoon parade in Edenbridge with my two grandsons, I was made to feel very welcome by the local British Legion who had a good turnout (as did the town, several hundred turned up for the church parade and march through the town) They couple I spoke to were disappointed I couldnt join them for a beer in The Legion bar afterwards.
The only downside was the parade NCO was a L/Cpl from the RAF Regiment, still you cant have it all!
It doesn't matter how we remember, just that we do.
62016
 

DaveT

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2,831
Interesting thread Dave. My papa, who recently passed away aged 99.5, was a field nurse who witnessed the evacuations, d-day and everything in between. He died unfortunately just a week before the d-day anniversary where he was due to be on the cruise ship that was chartered to bring the surviving vets to the beaches. He always wore a poppy but rarely talked about his experience so I understand why you have an internal dilemma. In the end, we are all different and so how you chose to mark the occasion is personal. Whichever way you choose, respect to you pal. One love.

Personally speaking, i have utmost respect for those who stand up and be counted. Irrespective of the political reasons why this happens, i have massive respect for anyone that chooses to be counted. When it come to the war and the Great War, i can’t even imagine the fear that millions had and i hope that my children never have to experience it.
Small world. My Grandad was a Field Ambulance Driver and Medic in the same places. Died in Normandy just after D Day - was in 175 Field Ambulance attached to the Seaforth Highlanders.
 

rossyl

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3,312
For those that have served, they've done more than enough and it is up to them to choose what they do on the day.

For us civilians in the UK, I see it as important that we mark it and thank those who have given a lot for the fortunate lives we now lead.

For those that have served, and do talk about it around this time of year, it also serves as an important reminder of the harsh realities of war.
 

linescanner

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Messages
299
I always attend, as I am still serving in the Reserves as a Quartermaster. This year I was a Marshall on the Lord Mayor's Parade on Saturday - got very wet in the afternoon and got home with zero creases in uniform and smelling like a wet donkey.
Sunday was my local memorial service in church followed by a parade at the War Memorial outside. Later that day I did something very different, an afternoon parade in Edenbridge with my two grandsons, I was made to feel very welcome by the local British Legion who had a good turnout (as did the town, several hundred turned up for the church parade and march through the town) They couple I spoke to were disappointed I couldnt join them for a beer in The Legion bar afterwards.
The only downside was the parade NCO was a L/Cpl from the RAF Regiment, still you cant have it all!
It doesn't matter how we remember, just that we do.
View attachment 62016
RAF Regt, did he regale you with stories of the 5 miler of death :) and was his shirt tucked in ;)
 
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6,001
Good local turnout yesterday and today. I felt very proud

Went to Tesco and at 11 am the store fell silent and everybody stood still in there own private thoughts, apart from a Muslim lady in her 30s I guess that carried on shopping and trying to move people (with little success). Clearly means nothing to her.
The store was better for it, no piped music etc
This prompted a thought (and I mean no harm) will this remembrance end with say our grand children? After all we do not really celebrate say 1066 and all that mind you we lost that one but you get my drift.
A serious question.
 

RSM Masser

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2,437
RAF Regt, did he regale you with stories of the 5 miler of death :) and was his shirt tucked in ;)
Even Reservists do 6 miles! 8 if your teeth arms, his shirt was freshly pressed from the hotel laundry he needed for the overnight stay, spoken commands were very good, nice and clear, but incorrect content, personal drill needed work, pace stick not level when marching etc etc........
Just what he needed a scaley LE giving him drill lessons....:yeah::sad3:
 

linescanner

Member
Messages
299
Good local turnout yesterday and today. I felt very proud

This prompted a thought (and I mean no harm) will this remembrance end with say our grand children? After all we do not really celebrate say 1066 and all that mind you we lost that one but you get my drift.
A serious question.
A good question. I think it is up to us to ensure this is not the case. Some of the **** you see with organisations trying to devalue the Poppy etc needs nipping in the bud, does get me a bit worked up.
 

D Walker

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9,827
Even Reservists do 6 miles! 8 if your teeth arms, his shirt was freshly pressed from the hotel laundry he needed for the overnight stay, spoken commands were very good, nice and clear, but incorrect content, personal drill needed work, pace stick not level when marching etc etc........
Just what he needed a scaley LE giving him drill lessons....:yeah::sad3:
Exactly, a scaley LE giving drill lessons. Sorry Sir, couldn’t resist.
Well, I went on Sunday, watched from afar, as I’m not an Blazer, beret and medals type. Was a great turnout and was good to see the incumbent RA regiment stood where is stood 20 years ago. Alas church was a sell out.
But glad I went.
 

RSM Masser

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2,437
A good question. I think it is up to us to ensure this is not the case. Some of the **** you see with organisations trying to devalue the Poppy etc needs nipping in the bud, does get me a bit worked up.

I think a few years ago it was all about WW1 and to a lesser extent but no less important WW2, bearing in mind that since 1945, the years of so called peace in Europe, a British Soldier has died somewhere in the world on active operational service every year except 1967. I am not sure how this applies since our withdrawal from Afghanistan.
I can say the remembrance services all mention recent conflicts, Former Yugoslavia, Iraq 1, Iraq 2, Afghan - there are other minor skirmishes as well, I do think as a nation the significance will be gradually lost as fewer people remain who physically remember. It is up to our generation to continue the tradition, its always encouraging that non military groups such as scouts and guides have a strong following, although it must be said one or two of the leaders had a military connection.

Numbers where certainly down on last years centenary event, the church was standing room only, this year a few seats still available, still an impressive turnout by local community. Thank-you.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance not war or politics, I have no time for those that devalue it.
 

midlifecrisis

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16,221
Re RAF REgiment:
Or Rockapes are we call them, I didn't know that they had introduced a Lance Jack rank, they were just LAC/SAC then Cpl. I was a four bladed Junior Technician when I was in. It played havoc with young squadies at Gutersloh as they didn't know whether to salute me or not...especially if i wore a wedgewood blue shirt with tie in summer...
 

Scaf

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6,573
Can’t believe the numpty who set a firework off in Salford aiming at the veterans during the minutes silence - he deserves everything that’s coming to him, and I am sure it’s coming !
 

Felonious Crud

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21,170
Can’t believe the numpty who set a firework off in Salford aiming at the veterans during the minutes silence - he deserves everything that’s coming to him, and I am sure it’s coming !

What a fvckwit.
 

RSM Masser

Member
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2,437
Re RAF REgiment:
Or Rockapes are we call them, I didn't know that they had introduced a Lance Jack rank, they were just LAC/SAC then Cpl. I was a four bladed Junior Technician when I was in. It played havoc with young squadies at Gutersloh as they didn't know whether to salute me or not...especially if i wore a wedgewood blue shirt with tie in summer...

RAF Regiment - Because MGPS cant deploy, That's Military Guard Provost Service.
He only had one stripe - we called him Signal, that's a tube with a stripe.