Two Minutes – It's not enough

Well done Hatton. Not sure what i’ve raised yet, but think around £200. Same time next year?!

Definately. Just think, if everyone on the forum was to give a few hours collecting in the street then it would be a huge amount. A thought for next year perhaps.

Well done Hatton. Not sure what i’ve raised yet, but think around £200. Same time next year?!

Snapper, it was your post on here a while back that spurred me into doing my bit this year, so many thanks.

I’ve spent a morning and an afternoon selling Poppies just opposite Lincoln Cathedral and I must admit it got a positive reaction. One of the strangest incidents I experienced though was when a group of three, admittedly quite scruffy and noisy, teenagers came up and deposited quite a large amount of change in the box. I thanked them and they thanked me but they would not wear a poppy or a sticker despite clearly supporting the campaign. It seemed sad that they didnt feel comfortable enough to wear them.

All–

Wonderful to see this exchange. In childhood I remember assembling at school for these tributes on 11 November, without really understanding them. Since then, having taken an interest in history (and old airplanes), and having been privileged to meet and talk with many a vet (especially when working at CWH back in the 80s), I “get it” much more accurately, and try to observe the silence at 11am on 11/11–or to get to a commemoration. I work a lot of evening shifts so am often “free” at the appropriate time. One year I sat for several minutes in absolute silence in my loft (where a bunch of aviation memorabilia is kept) on 11/11 and simply reflected. This year was special: I was at home again; switched off the stereo at 11, all was quiet. Opened my front door. From the south came a certain sound. Across the sombre grey sky thundered the Lancaster, as though appearing specifically for me. Wow. I am at a loss to explain how that sight renders me lump-throated and swimming-eyed…I was born twenty years after World War II…but then again I’m sure I’m not wholly alone. I hope not, at any rate…There were comments in today’s local paper to the effect that the vets themselves are noticing an upswing in the attention (and tribute) paid the sacrifices made long ago. I certainly hope that perception is an accurate one, and that such a trend continues.

S.

“Others non-observance clearly matters when it means they are trying to talk to me or my phone is ringing”

That is very true. I think it’s very sad that so many won’t, or don’t care enough to pay homage for two minutes. Butwhat I’m saying is as long as you, personally, do – or just on eperson somewhere does, those people are remembered. A friend works in the Post Office, and she told me they had a sign up announcing that they would be observing this silence at 11. She had a customer -he asked if it was because one of the staff had died. No, she says, somewhat taken aback. Oh, is it the person that died this morning? (ie Arafat). Uh, no. Then she explained who the silence was for. He didn’t have a clue. And he was in his 50’s. I find that kind of thing so sad – and I think that perhaps more awareness should be raised. To help raise that I suggest that ALL of you contact the British Legion next year and arrange for a box that you can take to work, and perhaps spare an evening / afternoon or two to collect as well. I’ve shifted a few hundred poppies this year (first time i’ve done it) and I haven’t seen many people selling elsewhere – nor have many of my customers been wearing poppies until leaving my counter. Like everything – if you want people to know, tell them!

There was a tremendous turnout for the homecoming of the ‘Unknown Warrior’ to New Zealand. The soldier came from a grave in France and lay in state overnight, people standing in line until closing at 11.30 pm at night and once again standing in line from 6.30am the next day. He represents one of the 9,000 Kiwis with no known graves and the 30,000 thousand dead in the World Wars. N.Z. soldiers had the highest casualty rate of the Empire troops per capita in WW1. Finally those relatives who have never had any closure, can now mourn at the ‘Unknown Warriors’ tomb…… he is home after 90 years….
On another subject, turnouts for ANZAC Day having been swelling over the past 5-6 years with a large increase in children coming to the Dawn Parade, long may it continue….’Lest we Forget’

Dave

I spent the two minutes with Betty, my daughter, and two people I’ve never met who came out to a small memorial in the country. Though traffic went past it didn’t matter. Why should others non-observance matter? It’s YOUR observance that matters. No-one elses.

Others non-observance clearly matters when it means they are trying to talk to me or my phone is ringing…….

If people are not interested in rememberance (sad though that is) that is their perogative, but they should have the decency to remain quiet for those who do wish to mark the occasion. Sadly every year, I find 11th November at least a little tarnished by the ignorance of those around me… 🙁

I don’t think that the British public nor the RBL would ever let the Poppy be used to commerate anything but what it was first introduced for. No government would be foolish enough to try and dilute its true meaning.
I had a quiet few minutes to myself today and as an ex serviceman I will always honour those who paid the ultimate price so I can enjoy the freedoms I do today. I will watch the weekends coverage as I do every year, no doubt with a lump in my throat, and honour the veterans in my own small way.

I was at home this morning on my own and observed the silence as I always do.
What makes me very proud and brings a tear is come Sunday when we have our Village rememberance service my two daughters (9 and 6) will each lay wreaths from the Brownies and Rainbow guides as they have done for the last three years. They know why they do it and fully understand that the names on the memorial in front of them are men who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of our freedom today.
We will remember them.

Those that gave did so so that we could have the choice to stand in silence or indeed continue the day blissfully unaware of the event.

I remembered the 2-minute silence, but as I was registering at a conference this morning, I couldn’t really stop – and nobody else appeared to do so either!

🙁

A few mins before 11:00 this morning I walked to the bottom of my garden and stood looking over a freshly ploughed field.
Two minutes of reflection, and thanking those who gave all, so I could gaze over “Englands green and pleasant land”

I spent the two minutes with Betty, my daughter, and two people I’ve never met who came out to a small memorial in the country. Though traffic went past it didn’t matter. Why should others non-observance matter? It’s YOUR observance that matters. No-one elses.

This is my first post on here. As a former member of the RAF, I can only agree what has been said before. This morning I stood with many hundreds of other ex-servicemen and women, including Her Majesty the Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, and on the first stroke of Big Ben at Eleven o clock, all the traffic halted, and London was silent. A most moving experience.

Robin.

I think that observing the two minute silence is a very personal thing and I was pleased to read DaveB’s comment: ” I find that I need to remove myself from the office, to go and have a private moment of quiet somewhere else”. I feel the same way and find standing stiffly in a room full of people trying to avoid eye contact for two minutes, well…..awkward. Unfortunately not all employers are terribly good at organising this sort of thing and loud announcements followed by loud ringing fire bells has a touch of coercion at times. The best employer I came across for this was a Magistrates Court which kept one of the courts clear for 11.00 and gave their employees the choice, if they wanted to observe the silence they were welcome to use the room which I thought was a thoughtful touch. The court room was quiet and the atmosphere was more conducive to reflection than the office.

Oh well, now wait to be flamed by the ‘you ought to’ brigade……

Nice to see the Police stop the traffic in Westminster at 11 this morning.
mmitch.

In the states here tonight, they’ll be playing ‘Saving Private Ryan’ across the country on TV, but apparently even Janet Jackson has had an effect on that plan…hot on the heels of her little clothing malfunction at this year’s Super Bowl, the censors are all up in a wad over some of the language in the film, and some of the stations have decided to pull the plug on playing the movie in its entirety (ie unedited and uncensored) in fear of FCC fines for doing so….

Seems we can’t even give a television tribute without it being affected by today’s rules and standards and the actions of others, and fear of recriminations for OFFERING that tribute…

Mark

I broke the law……..

…….and pulled onto the Hard shoulder on the M25 at a few seconds before 11:00 in my 40 ton truck. I drive for a living and cannot always be parked somewhere quiet for the annual two minute silence, I have done this many times over the years and am always surprised when I am joined by motorists and HGV drivers alike.

As a Flt Sgt in the CCF i have just returned from our service at the war memorial in school. I felt honoured to be in the presence of those who have helped me enjoy the life i have now. As i walked back to school, two veterans were walking the other way, i halted and snapped a salute. As they returned it, i felt like such a phoney, but i am proud just to be able to stand next to them.
In Proud Remembrance,
BARNOWL

That is a very fitting tribute young Sir, I admire your comments.

I happened to be in Felixstowe for an eye test at 1105hrs (yes they avoided an 1100hrs appointment at Specsavers!) A maroon was discharged at 1100hrs and again at 1102hrs. The ‘Triangle’ fell silent, 60%+ of the people stopped to reflect and I was amazed that at least 50% of those I passed were wearing poppies.

The RBL now receives some £21 million a year through their Poppy Appeal, I find the British people very generous in their attitudes, long may it continue. I heard the ‘lady’ on the BBC Jeremy Vine show talking about moving on from those two World Wars, apart from feeling absolutely disgusted with her attitude, at least she has the right to make that statement and ought to be reflecting on who gave her that right.

Lest we forget……………………..

we had a very moving rememberance service today. The two minutes silence was exactly that 2 minutes of absolute quiet. The service ended with prayers and the singing of God Save The Queen which was followed by the shrill noise of an ambulance racing towards the cenotaph to asist someone..
I just hope that here in Ontario Canada we finally honour our vets by declaring Nov 11 a national holiday for all.

Lest we Forget..