Remembrance – Lest We Forget
For 100 years a two minutes’ silence has been held on Armistice Day before the laying of wreaths. The silence represents the moment when at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the guns of the Great War finally fell silent.
The tragedy of Remembrance Sunday is that the world has failed in its vision that the First World War should have been the war to end all wars.
The triumph of Remembrance Sunday, however, is that it has lasted a century, while other ceremonies have dwindled. It’s heartening that Remembrance has commanded genuine longevity and remains untainted by social and political trends.
Wearing the poppy, for example, is a simple apolitical act. So simple, in fact that loose and often inaccurate interpretations have sometimes been applied to it, such as that it’s a sign of support for war, a religious symbol or that the red colour represents the colour of blood.
In fact, the Royal British Legion confirms that the poppy is a symbol of
remembrance and hope and coloured red by natural design.
Symbolic
Wearing a poppy is a personal choice. While it’s traditional, it’s far from compulsory. Nevertheless, it is appreciated, since the thousands upon thousands given out each autumn raise valuable funds for beneficiaries: Service personnel in our Armed Forces, Veterans, and their families and dependants.
The National Service of Remembrance, held at The Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, has a definite element of pomp which may seem distant in some ways from wearing a paper flower. Nevertheless, it isn’t about vanity but more to ensure that nobody is forgotten as the Nation unites to honour all who have Served or died in war. It’s respectful reflection that is as relevant to a Private as it is to a General. It’s that equality that makes it so important and enduring.
Even though the silence is a mere two minutes in length, plenty of Service personnel and Veterans will reflect on their own experiences, as well as those of their comrades, some of whom aren’t with us anymore.
When the silence is ended by the Royal Marines buglers sounding The Rouse and the Gunners of the Royal Horse Artillery firing the salute, it might be a moment to clarify your commitment to honour their names with action, by doing the things that they’ll not get the chance to do – and in the brave spirit that they would do it.
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces
community – Serving men and women, Veterans, and their families.
#ThankYou100
