Remembrance Day
- Thread starter R181
- Start date
TexStubble
Forum GOD!
I would certainly hope that we, as a society and culture, have not sunken to the point where the commemoration of Veterans Day/Remembrance Day would be considered to be a political expression.
Holyzeus
Forum GOD!
Erm, you could of started one?!
Geordieboy
Über Member
I still have my Vietnam Service Medal, though I can't remember anything of my two tours of duty.
Yes, I could have but being relatively new here and not having seen any previous mention of it so I did not.
Bob
TexStubble
Forum GOD!
Actually, no...
Veterans Day is to honor all who have served, Memorial Day is to remember the fallen.
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
Patriots Day or Public Service Day might be an idea going forward. The military is only one type of service. Given the pandemic and the heros who tried to save people, sometimes from themselves, and some who died themselves trying to help , it seems to me that in order to honor, we need to expand the definition of who is a veteran.
Certainly the scientists who develope medications to save us are also heros. Social workers are heros. Yes I know we have special days for others, but I think my point is valid.
This idea came to me after a converstaion with a man 10 years older than me who was a Marine Reservist in the late '60's who said the only reason he joined, while a college student, was because he didn't want to go to Vietnam.
My relative said I used to contact them on VD and thank them for their service. Later I heard this was not appreciated by some and I stopped. It is hard to know what to do since there are so many experiences, some good and some horrible. Perhaps is we could respect each other and love each other more. Who knows?
Certainly the scientists who develope medications to save us are also heros. Social workers are heros. Yes I know we have special days for others, but I think my point is valid.
This idea came to me after a converstaion with a man 10 years older than me who was a Marine Reservist in the late '60's who said the only reason he joined, while a college student, was because he didn't want to go to Vietnam.
My relative said I used to contact them on VD and thank them for their service. Later I heard this was not appreciated by some and I stopped. It is hard to know what to do since there are so many experiences, some good and some horrible. Perhaps is we could respect each other and love each other more. Who knows?
Smiffy
Forum GOD!
In remembrance of people who have given their lives in the armed forces, for all men and women but, in this case, my story is about the loss of a father.
The story is about a town in England called Wooten Bassett, an RAF base which accepted service personnel who had died on active duty, the town, its people and all involved took their responsibility very seriously and appointed one senior officer who had the role of organising the proceedings for the return of deceased military personnel from overseas service into the UK.
The officer was once asked in an interview if he was ever affected by the great sadness of it all. He said that he accepted that for many people these occasions were understandably difficult because they were a very sad experience. It was his job to make sure that the military did all it could to support the family and to recognize and honour the individual, he had no choice but to take it all in his stride as it was his job and all part of his training.. His role was to set the standard, to be an example for the many who would be taking part, the bandsmen, the coffin bearers, the other officers, the townspeople and everyone else involved.
More than anyone else, he owed the day to the bereaved family.
That was until the 105th burial proceedings. The organising officer made an exception and on this occasion his training failed him, he broke down.
An English soldier had been killed in battle in Afghanistan, his body was to be returned from the battlefield to Wooten Bassett by army plane. Tragically, the soldier had left behind a wife and four very young daughters, all of them under 10 years old.
A few days before the plane was due the officer went to see the family to make sure that they were aware as to what was going to happen on the day, where they would be standing and what would be expected of them. He explained that a car would be sent for them and they would be taken to the airfield. Soon after, the plane would arrive, the soldiers and everyone there would salute as the coffin was unloaded and a hearse would take the body to the cemetery. He explained that there would be silence from the time that the plane landed apart from a single bugler playing The Last Post, no one would speak.
The officer talked to the four daughters, he said how sorry he was and that the Army would do everything that they could, he suggested that the girls all wore their best clothes and to be as brave as possible. The youngest was three years old, the next just 5, the other two were 8 and 9, Mum had said to her children. ‘be strong girls, do this for your father’.
The plane was already on approach as the family arrived, the army band started playing, quite quietly, rows of officers stood waiting, all at attention.
Mum and the girls lined up as the plane taxied towards them and came to a halt. The band stopped playing, the soldiers all saluted, maintaining their composure. As the coffin was lowered to the ground, there was silence, that was until the little 5 year old girl dropped to the floor on her knees and said 'Daddy'.
Everyone on that airfield broke down. This was the reality of a man lost to War, not procedure, not protocol, not maintaining dignity. A child lost a father who cannot be replaced.
The story is about a town in England called Wooten Bassett, an RAF base which accepted service personnel who had died on active duty, the town, its people and all involved took their responsibility very seriously and appointed one senior officer who had the role of organising the proceedings for the return of deceased military personnel from overseas service into the UK.
The officer was once asked in an interview if he was ever affected by the great sadness of it all. He said that he accepted that for many people these occasions were understandably difficult because they were a very sad experience. It was his job to make sure that the military did all it could to support the family and to recognize and honour the individual, he had no choice but to take it all in his stride as it was his job and all part of his training.. His role was to set the standard, to be an example for the many who would be taking part, the bandsmen, the coffin bearers, the other officers, the townspeople and everyone else involved.
More than anyone else, he owed the day to the bereaved family.
That was until the 105th burial proceedings. The organising officer made an exception and on this occasion his training failed him, he broke down.
An English soldier had been killed in battle in Afghanistan, his body was to be returned from the battlefield to Wooten Bassett by army plane. Tragically, the soldier had left behind a wife and four very young daughters, all of them under 10 years old.
A few days before the plane was due the officer went to see the family to make sure that they were aware as to what was going to happen on the day, where they would be standing and what would be expected of them. He explained that a car would be sent for them and they would be taken to the airfield. Soon after, the plane would arrive, the soldiers and everyone there would salute as the coffin was unloaded and a hearse would take the body to the cemetery. He explained that there would be silence from the time that the plane landed apart from a single bugler playing The Last Post, no one would speak.
The officer talked to the four daughters, he said how sorry he was and that the Army would do everything that they could, he suggested that the girls all wore their best clothes and to be as brave as possible. The youngest was three years old, the next just 5, the other two were 8 and 9, Mum had said to her children. ‘be strong girls, do this for your father’.
The plane was already on approach as the family arrived, the army band started playing, quite quietly, rows of officers stood waiting, all at attention.
Mum and the girls lined up as the plane taxied towards them and came to a halt. The band stopped playing, the soldiers all saluted, maintaining their composure. As the coffin was lowered to the ground, there was silence, that was until the little 5 year old girl dropped to the floor on her knees and said 'Daddy'.
Everyone on that airfield broke down. This was the reality of a man lost to War, not procedure, not protocol, not maintaining dignity. A child lost a father who cannot be replaced.
TobyC
Patriot
I doubt that's true, what was your weapon, what time of day did the rain start,...
TobyC
Patriot
Relatively new??? Been here longer than me, and I say things that aren't always "popular".