Chickendoodle Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 this year it will be the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year! 11.11.11.11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Hoping St Pauls gets rid of the tented ones at least for Remembrance Sunday. Meeting son's plane at Gatwick at around 11am, hope they do a silence although I feel tearful so it can be embarrassing if I'm out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Being tearful during a remembrance silence is nothing to be ashamed of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I always get emotional too. I was in town a few years ago when they did one, and I welled up out in the street. I also did it when some returning troops did a march through the city centre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I have just listened to the first part of 'The Music My Son Loved' on Radio 2. It was so moving to listen to the mother of a son who died in Afghanistan talking about the effect that his death has had on the whole family and his friends. I was in tears as I should think any mother who heard it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Can I recommend a book please - 'Heroes - 100 poems from the new generation of war poets' - Brilliantly written, gritty, humorous, devastatingly sad and poignant. Having served in Iraq and having a sister who has just returned from Afghanistan again, I commend them to anyone who will read them. Many of them reduced me to tears. The book is available for less than £6 from Amazon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 OH and I have been watching the Lost Heroes of WW1 programmes that have been on Channel 5 in the evening. OH is really into WW1 history and owns so many books etc on it yet there is still something so moving about hearing people talk about their own experiences. Makes me well up every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Thanks Chicken Licken, I'm going to buy a couple of copies of that. War poetry is amazing, and I think it should always be used in any history lessons about war. As there are so many ladies in this forum can I also recommend 'The Roses of No Man's Land' by Lyn MacDonald. It is the sometimes harrowing memories of the nurses who were so brave but somehow forgotten. I used all of Lyn MacDonald's books when doing war history lessons with my kids but would often find them hard to read aloud, especially Passchendaele and Somme. There are books about nursing in our current wars but I haven't been brave enough to read them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I saw this really interesting article about where in the world poppies are worn poppies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I rarely miss the service at our local war memorial and it is so heart warming to see so many young people turning up either to join in the marching or just to be there. Patsylabrador, I always shed a tear too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I always have a tear in my eye. A few times we have been to a Remembrance service in Hythe, Kent and its been lovely, my nephew has been in the army cadets down there. I've just read the war record for my Gt Granddad's battalion and actually just to read, on the day he died, the words 1 officer injured and 5 OR killed - is quite sad. They didn't even get their names listed in the record (although I know it was posted elsewhere) One day I would like to go back to the war cemetery on Remembrance Day, I think that would be very special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Dads got the normal poppy, mum has a purple poppy - it's for all the dogs that get sent to Afghanistan. Have been listening to Radio 2 - all the mothers who have lost their sons. Very very sad & tear jerking. I don't think we are grateful enough for all the forces do for us! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 I too heard the programme on Radio 2 on Tuesday - missed the one on Monday. I almost turned it off thinking it would be too upsetting to listen to but then I thought that if the bereaved mother has the courage to talk about her son and to honour his memory I should at least have the courage to listen. It was beautiful. I can't begin to imagine the pain of losing a child and when you magnify her pain by the number of other bereaved parents of young men and women killed in the line of duty you realise how important the day is. I found out only within the last few weeks that my G/Grandfather died in WW1 so the day seems even more poignant this year. Wearing my poppy with extra pride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloss-Hen Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I have just listened to the first part of 'The Music My Son Loved' on Radio 2. . Me too I found it so sad Have you heard there is a football match on Friday and apparently they werent going to wear poppies. I do hope they do I will be dissapointed if they do not Ps I have not heard anything else about the football players so I might be wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Is that the England match Gloss-Hen? Apparently an MP came up with the idea that the team could wear poppies embroidered on black armbands which is a brilliant compromise and has been allowed. FIFA said they don't allow religious or political symbols, shows what they know as the poppy is neither. I'm glad it's been sorted out though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 According to this mornings rag, FIFA have backed down. Click Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Hooray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 How dare they.I hope the Home Office action will be effective. I prefer to take notice of this at the bottom of the article. Julie Siddiqui of the Islamic Society of Britain had been organising a counter-demonstration for Friday. She said: "In one sweep, Muslims Against Crusades display an unspeakable disregard for the feelings and common bond of our countrymen and women, a contempt and rejection of our hard-earned democracy and its institutions, a disdain for the majority of British Muslims - who do not share their views - and a violation of the example of the Prophet Muhammad." Muslims against crusades is banned However strongly they feel about certain things they should respect and keep quiet on Armistice Day and at home-coming parades. One of my neighbours and an old friend who I've known for about 20 years is Muslim and is horrified by these sorts of people. We both respect each other's culture even if we don't always agree on things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Wasn't sure where to put this but got ES home today. We'd had a parcel waiting for him. It is his British Army Veteran's badge. He's so proud to get it. What a brilliant day to get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 That ir lovely and a great time for him to come home to his family too. Well done him and enjoy each other's company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 Wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 Just got back from the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Very moving and incredibly sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 This morning I went to the Remembrance service at the little airfield just down the road. It was home to an American squadron during the war. It was a lovely service, very moving. Even two horses waited for the silence, their riders were silent and the horses stood quietly and waited for the service to end before carrying on on their way. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Went to lovely service at church - YS 10 carried flag for cubs (proud mummy moment) lovely day - there was a youngish guy with a stick laying a wreath - it brings it home to me that one of my sons mates 16 is thinking of joining army. I dont remember anyone at school joining up. Sons friend wants to be a "hero" my son thinks hes mad as i suppose he worries he'll get killed. Selfishly I am glad my kids arent showing signs of wanting to be in forces - ES thinking of uni or he announced fire service the other day.. It is gratifying that some men and women do join up but Patsy I dont know how you cope - probably pray a lot I suppose. Glad your boy is safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
