Things aren't what they used to be

[Paddy]

Email at clientco this morning:



Not sure what to think of this country anymore to be fair, I saw very few people wearing poppies in West London this morning it makes me

I used to be enthusiastic about Remembrance Sunday and always bought a poppy; that was when Remembrance Sunday was about the WWI & WW2. These days I don't because it has be hijacked by politicians who attempt to put Afghanistan and Iraq on the same level. The propaganda is extended to call every returning soldier a hero or veteran. it is an insult the those who fought in the Great War.

[VectraMan]

I don't agree with the more recent conflicts either, but I still think it's important to remember and respect those who gave their lives.

It's the language I object to as much as anything, and "gave their lives" just sounds so lovely and heartwarming and completely disconnected from what actually happened. Many were conscripted, and even if you volunteered once you were there you faced being shot by your own side if you dared ask if there was a better way than simply running at a machine gun. We should be talking about "the millions who were sacrificed and betrayed by their leaders", but we don't like to say that as it doesn't fit with the expression of nationalist pride that is rememberance day.

[mudskipper]

It's the language I object to as much as anything, and "gave their lives" just sounds so lovely and heartwarming and completely disconnected from what actually happened. Many were conscripted, and even if you volunteered once you were there you faced being shot by your own side if you dared ask if there was a better way than simply running at a machine gun. We should be talking about "the millions who were sacrificed and betrayed by their leaders", but we don't like to say that as it doesn't fit with the expression of nationalist pride that is rememberance day.

Read this this morning - probably one of the most pointless of all the deaths.

BBC News - The teenage soldiers of World War One



On 29 December 1915 Aby was caught in a German mine explosion - the enemy had tunnelled under the trench where he was stationed. He was wounded and suffered what was then simply called "shock". In today's military lexicon it would be described as "combat stress" or "post traumatic stress disorder".

By early spring Aby was back on the front. On 12 Feb 1916 the Germans again attacked his position, this time with grenades.

Suffering from shock, Aby wandered back and forth along the British lines. He was eventually arrested and charged with desertion. His last letter home is that of a boy who seems determined to underplay his situation, not to put stress on his mother at home.

"Dear mother, I'm in the trenches and I was ill so I went out, and they took me to the prison and I'm in a bit of trouble now."

The following month Aby then aged 17, became one of the 306 British soldiers executed during the Great War.

[mudskipper]

I used to be enthusiastic about Remembrance Sunday and always bought a poppy; that was when Remembrance Sunday was about the WWI & WW2. These days I don't because it has be hijacked by politicians who attempt to put Afghanistan and Iraq on the same level. The propaganda is extended to call every returning soldier a hero or veteran. it is an insult the those who fought in the Great War.

A soldier who died in Afghanistan deserves to be remembered too.

[vetran]

Do the Germans and French observe Remembrance day with similar traditions?

[The Spartan]

Perhaps you are misreading the email?

It read to me like they were prompting everyone to take part but acknowledging that they do not have to (after all, if participation is not voluntary then it is meaningless).

You are indeed right, but I knew the majority here wouldn't give a toss in fact it was just as noisy as ever here at 11:00

At other companies I know they make announcements to mark the beginning and end of the 2 minute silence, like you said it's a voluntary thing.

[Midland White]

I used to be enthusiastic about Remembrance Sunday and always bought a poppy; that was when Remembrance Sunday was about the WWI & WW2. These days I don't because it has be hijacked by politicians who attempt to put Afghanistan and Iraq on the same level. The propaganda is extended to call every returning soldier a hero or veteran. it is an insult the those who fought in the Great War.

Blame that on our shallow and deceitful politicians for sure. Anyone subjecting themselves to conflict in our armed services, and other often forgotten 'auxilliary' services deserve to be remembered at the very least at this time.

[suityou01]

A soldier who died in Afghanistan deserves to be remembered too.

I don't think Paddy was saying he shouldn't.

[suityou01]

Do the Germans and French observe Remembrance day with similar traditions?

The French have "Jour de capitulation" I think.

[MyUserName]

You are indeed right, but I knew the majority here wouldn't give a toss in fact it was just as noisy as ever here at 11:00.

That is quite poor