Remembrance Day

[reallydown]

Well, it's Remembrance Day here...

It's good that we honour those who've lost their lives in WW I and WWII. However, I feel that their memory is not being honoured by today's glorification of war. Somehow this pathos creeped in that romanticizes the idea and instead of stopping wars, we get caught up in the idea of the nobility of fighting for whatever. Not to say that we shouldn't...when we are attacked etc. but I can't help but wonder if we have some weird compulsive need to keep at it...so that we can keep remembering...I'm maybe not articulating it quite as well. And where is the support for today's soldiers when they get back?

Just thought that perhaps there's good reason why those we remember today wrote:

"...
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, --
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori."
(Wilfred Owen, 1920)

 

[blynn895]

I like this writing, thank you. war is hell and should not be glorified (ie all the rah rah war movies on tv today)..I just watched band of brothers last weekend tho and the message above was clearly visible.. war should be the absolute LAST option for us (Hitler was a good reason), but those who are sent to fight and/or die should be recognized and remembered, everyday, not just Nov. 11th.

 

[NarcSis]

Today I remember my father, who served in the Korean War with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. He passed away in 1994 at the age of 66. I think of him every day, but today, he is special. I also think of my brother, who did not see combat, however served with the Canadian Forces until just before his death in 1985. He was 22 years old and will remain forever young.

Today is a special day for me, having had a father who was a veteran of war and three brothers who served their country in peacetime.

They teach us to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country, but I will also remember those who came home, those who need us most those who need daily reminding that they are home, they are safe and we love them and we need them here with us.

You are not forgotten.

 

[anni]

It's only the politicians who do that, really. Some of the wars are theirs anyway but war is war in the end. People end up having to go and fight in them for whatever reason. We just sort of have to leave the politics, and the feelings behind whatever motives who had for getting whatever war underway behind. Something needed to be done, the men and women of the forces did it, as a sort of non-glorious, frequently fatal bottom line. It's simply the day we do remember them, honor them, and perhaps hopefully resolve to do better by them.

 

[reallydown]

Nothing wrong with remembering...We should remember and we should honour them...I'm just worried about some of the other stuff that comes with it...as is the case on Canada Day too (in recent years). Members of my family also fought in WW I ...as well as WWII (Dad's aunt and mum's two uncles lost theor lives; their fathers also fought an dboth were wounded).

As for politics...I don't think we should leave it. There are times when things are done in our name that are not right and they put our troops at unnecessary risk too.

 

[Jestadud]

3 times I have tried to respond here, but it has wiped out each time!!

I am frustrated by the amount of people who are free in this country to burn poppies, to insult those who want to pay their respects to those who have given their lives for others.

 

[Auburngirl]

people burn poppies? Seriously? I've never heard of that. It's disgraceful really - regardless of your views on anything. I went to a large community cenotaph ceremony. It's good to take time to remember.

 

[amethist]

Maybe they don't know why poppies are used for remembrance day Jestadud. Maybe they should be taught in schools the reason for this.

Amethist

 

[reallydown]

Jestadud, I'm not sure if your response was directed at me or not. I'm sorry if it came off as me disrespecting Remembrance Day etc. I don't understand why anyone would burn poppies. My post was meant to highlight the point of the day...Something along the lines of "when will they ever learn?" (and by they...I mean "we"...ie humanity).

Amethist, they do in fact teach it in schools...They did at mine, at least. I hope they still do elsewhere too.