We’ve been to our local Sainsbury’s this morning. All most there and OH mentioned the 2 minute silence at 11am. He switched on the radio and we heard the Last Post followed by the silence. Doesn’t matter when this piece of music is played but I immediately we’ll up and tears run down my face. OH went in to do the food shop while I went to Boots and joined him before he’d finished. There was a chap just inside the doors of Sainsbury’s selling poppies. I didn’t see one person stop and as I looked around at the people in there and in the car park, didn’t see anyone wearing one. What’s happened? Is this the same up and down the country?
Remembering my Great Uncle Thomas, aged 22 who died August 1918 in France.
I was disappointed that I was tied up with customers at 11am, so didn't observe it> I would have normally. I have seen fewer people wearing poppies, and not seen them for sale as much as normal either. Maybe that's because I don't shop much these days but even so....
I haven't been out today, so I don't know, but in the village they have a lovely display especially for today. I did remember at 11 and spent a couple of minutes sitting and thinking.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
There is a lot of support for Rememberence Sunday around this way, churches decorated and a service in the town square and a parade too, we shouldn’t ever forget, but there’s a lot of people out there with huge worries right now, maybe buying poppies is just another thing they could do without at this time.
The last post is a really moving piece of music. We must all have family members who served in these world wars even if we were not born at the time. Most of these were called up to fight as part of national service, can not imagine how terrifying that must have been for those men going to battle and ill prepared for it. My father had to do national service too in the 50s I think, he was sent to the Korean war and was hit by shrapnel while he was wading through water, I remember him showing me the scars on his legs.
I didn't realize the agony of those families from the past, waiting for their loved ones to return, until I waited for my own son to return from Afghanistan, knowing 2 of his best friends with him had lost their lives on that tour.
I don't understand why in 2021 we have come so far that we are out in space exploring Mars, trying to find life on new planets, while here on planet Earth, some countries are still living by the sword fighting over pieces of land and religion.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
At our granddaughters school, all the children made, and wore poppies. The teachers have spent quite a lot of time recently explaining why people wear poppies. We were invited to the year 3 remembrance service. School has a net, which is covered in poppies that were made by the nursery school children. My dad was called up for National Service, he was in the Royal Navy. Even when he was in a wheelchair he still insisted on standing and saluting for the 2 minutes silence.
Trisha
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. C. S. Lewis
I waited at home before venturing out. You don't seem to see many wearing them anymore, but I will certainly be watching on Sunday.
The Queen will be attending the Cenotaph on Sunday. It is so important to her.
I lost my uncle in WWII, my father's older brother. He was a good looking man. We watched a film on Netflix last weekend about the war in Holland and the Germans eventually retreating. It just came across how futile it was and so many young people, men and women lost their lives for what.
Speaking personally, these days I don't go to the supermarket (do Click & Collect) or the town, so haven't seen anyone selling poppies, however when we were away last week there was a collecting box & poppies on the bar at the hotel .... except then I realised I hadn't got any money on me (I have virtually stopped using coins and pay for everything on my debit/credit card). Fortunately my OH had some pound coins on him so we popped those in the box and took 2 poppies. I put mine straight on my coat, but he didn't - so you might presume he hadn't bought one but he had (I usually lose mine within a day or two - I have no idea how they fall off!). I thought it was quite a good idea last year (when we were in lockdown) and you could go onto the British Legion website and make a donation.
When I was a teenager, there was talk of scaling down Remembrance Sunday - but I am really glad that didn't happen, it's very important in my opinion to remember the sacrifice made for us to have freedom.
That’s brilliant VW. Around here there are large poppies attached to lamp posts in the local town and at our village hall. There’s also a metal bench nearby which is obviously a memorial to soldiers. Not sure if it’s a one off but will try and find out more about it. I hope your son is doing ok, Bellatrix. It must have been horrific what he saw and experienced.