Remembrance

[Arch Stanton]

This is related to the Auschwitz thread - but I managed just in time to refrain from hijacking it.

I was thinking about the fact that there were only 3 survivors from the Great War at Remembrance Sunday - and in 30 years time there will no doubt be a similarly few survivors from WW2. The longer time goes on I am sure that these wars will start to become ancient history for a lot of people - much like how the Boer War is for me now I would imagine.

While the 20th century brought a lot of good, medical and scientific advances especially, there was also a lot to be regretted -

The world wars obviously.
The extermination of jews which would have happened even if we hadn't gone to war with Germany.
Hiroshima - which is a massive event on its own
Cuban missile crisis - just a button push away from the nuclear winter
A never ending catalogue of 'smaller' but devastating wars
A never ending catalogue of famines
A never ending catalogue of brutal oppressive regimes

Now, I have no problem at all with poppy day and I think it is a significant and very worthwhile commemoration However, I do think it would be more meaningful for me if there was a something with a wider remit - separate from poppy day I mean, and not just for the allied countries either.

Am I maybe just missing something from not being a christian perhaps and able to go along to church on a Sunday and listen to the minister preach about such things?

I was also looking up about World Peace Day which is held on 21st September but it doesn't really fit the bill I don't think - it certainly doesn't look like a well supported event anyway - you never hear about it.

[Betty Boop]

This is related to the Auschwitz thread - but I managed just in time to refrain from hijacking it.

I was thinking about the fact that there were only 3 survivors from the Great War at Remembrance Sunday - and in 30 years time there will no doubt be a similarly few survivors from WW2. The longer time goes on I am sure that these wars will start to become ancient history for a lot of people - much like how the Boer War is for me now I would imagine.

While the 20th century brought a lot of good, medical and scientific advances especially, there was also a lot to be regretted -

The world wars obviously.
The extermination of jews which would have happened even if we hadn't gone to war with Germany.
Hiroshima - which is a massive event on its own
Cuban missile crisis - just a button push away from the nuclear winter
A never ending catalogue of 'smaller' but devastating wars
A never ending catalogue of famines
A never ending catalogue of brutal oppressive regimes

Now, I have no problem at all with poppy day and I think it is a significant and very worthwhile commemoration However, I do think it would be more meaningful for me if there was a something with a wider remit - separate from poppy day I mean, and not just for the allied countries either.
Am I maybe just missing something from not being a christian perhaps and able to go along to church on a Sunday and listen to the minister preach about such things?

I was also looking up about World Peace Day which is held on 21st September but it doesn't really fit the bill I don't think - it certainly doesn't look like a well supported event anyway - you never hear about it.
I agree Crabit, I like to remember all victims of Conflict.:agree:

[(((Fergus)))]

I agree Crabit, I like to remember all victims of Conflict.:agree:

Do you draw a line between victims and perpetrators, "us" and "them"?

I always get the impression that 11 November is a sort of victory parade tinged with sadness at the loss of comrades rather than a general "anti-war" event in which the insanity of war is reflected upon. The only "fallen" officially remembered seem to be allied troops and civilians, meanwhile all military personnel and civilians those killed by allied forces (e.g., Dresden, Hamburg, Hiroshima) are irrelevant. Maybe I have got that wrong? One thing I do hear consistently from the old veterans, however, is a general "never again". Presumably their opposite numbers in Prussia and Bavaria are thinking along similar lines...

[Betty Boop]

Do you draw a line between victims and perpetrators, "us" and "them"?
I always get the impression that 11 November is a sort of victory parade tinged with sadness at the loss of comrades rather than a general "anti-war" event in which the insanity of war is reflected upon. The only "fallen" officially remembered seem to be allied troops and civilians, meanwhile all military personnel and civilians those killed by allied forces (e.g., Dresden, Hamburg, Hiroshima) are irrelevant. Maybe I have got that wrong? One thing I do hear consistently from the old veterans, however, is a general "never again". Presumably their opposite numbers in Prussia and Bavaria are thinking along similar lines... No I don't, thats why I said all victims :agree:

[Pretty Boy]

Do you draw a line between victims and perpetrators, "us" and "them"?

I always get the impression that 11 November is a sort of victory parade tinged with sadness at the loss of comrades rather than a general "anti-war" event in which the insanity of war is reflected upon. The only "fallen" officially remembered seem to be allied troops and civilians, meanwhile all military personnel and civilians those killed by allied forces (e.g., Dresden, Hamburg, Hiroshima) are irrelevant. Maybe I have got that wrong? One thing I do hear consistently from the old veterans, however, is a general "never again". Presumably their opposite numbers in Prussia and Bavaria are thinking along similar lines...

A fair point here, whilst i understand the significance of rememberance day i always feel the point is muted amongst the patriotic posturing which feels like a not so subtle victory parade. I would not be against another similar day to remember all innocent victims of war whether it be in Baghdad, Belfast, Dresden, London or elsewhere. I have yet to hear of a soldier who has fought in a conflict that wants to go through it again and most certainly don't see themselves as heroes and are genuinely embarassed by the tag given to them by hyper patriotic Daily mail readers.