Remembrance Day

Photo of Remembrance Day by John

Today, 11/11, is Remembrance Day in the UK.  It is a day in tribute to those who have fought and died in war since World War I.  The war officially ended on 11/11 at 11am.

Since the start of November, people have been wearing poppies on their lapel as a symbol of remembrance.  As Michael tells me:

"Soldiers in the war destroyed the fields and kicked the seeds around.  And then poppies started growing after the war."

The poppies are usually made of paper and are quite visible in the distance.  Most people wear them from what I've observed. John got one for me at Tesco, and Anna was really keen on having a poppy too, so Grandma and Grandpa got some for the kids too.  They were also selling poppies at the school so it is common for children to also take part in Remembrance Day.

The War Memorial - photo taken by Michael in Sept.

This morning, John and I walked up to the War Memorial just behind the kids' school, directly across from the Dee View Inn.  It was a crisp morning but the sun shone brightly and the River Dee was picturesque off in the distance.  We stood just behind a crowd of families and a few men in berets.  The older man in front of us held a poppy wreath with a yin yang and something about the Korean War.  At 11am, a firework went off in the distance, traffic stopped and everyone stood still for the two minute moment of silence.  The couple veterans I could see were standing still yet to attention.  It was simple yet very moving.  Two minutes later, another distant firework went off and traffic started again.  It appeared that a wreath laying procession was about to start, but we headed back down the hill, reflecting upon what we saw.

It is amazing to think that people have been gathering in that spot on 11/11 since the end of World War I.  The continuity is very comforting to not only veterans and their families but to the general public.  Veterans Day in America is also celebrated today with a focus on the war veterans.  Perhaps Memorial Day is more similar to Remembrance Day.  I enjoyed seeing a few friends' Facebook posts about Veterans Day in America and couldn't help but think of how Remembrance Day is more widely integrated into the British culture.  The historical lineage, the tangibility, the poppy as a symbol dedicated to remembrance probably play are role.

Anna's prayer she made up this evening (this child loves her Church of England education):

"Hands together, eyes closed.  Dear God: Thank you for the soldiers who served in war and died.  And thank you for delivering us from dying on the cross and delivering us from evil.  Amen."

(I continue to be amazed by how much the kids have grown and been shaped by our experiences here.)