Lest we forget

[Asid]

We simulate and play war quite often. It is important that we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.



Armistice Day


Front page of The New York Times on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918.


Armistice Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. The date was declared a national holiday in many allied nations, and coincides with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, public holidays.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day


Soldiers and civilians celebrate Armistice Day on 11 November 1918

A two-minute silence has been observed across the UK to remember the nation's war dead for Armistice Day.

Prince Harry has laid a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for the commemorations.

Silence fell at 11:00 GMT to remember servicemen and women killed in battle.

England and Scotland footballers are expected to risk breaking Fifa rules forbidding "political statements" when they wear poppy armbands at their World Cup qualifying match at Wembley later.

People gathered at war memorials and in schools, offices and other public places across the UK to pause for two minutes to commemorate the moment the guns fell silent for peace at the end of World War One, on 11 November 1918.

Hundreds of people attended the Royal British Legion's Silence in the Square event in Trafalgar Square, where poppies were laid in the fountains and music was performed by a range of artists including Russell Watson.

A service of remembrance was also held at the Cenotaph, where singer Cerys Matthews read the poem In Memoriam by Ewart Alan Mackintosh.



in Trafalgar Square



The sun shone and as 11 o'clock approached, Trafalgar Square filled with people of all ages.

They listened to moving poems and songs and as the The Last Post began at one minute to 11:00 GMT, all traffic was stopped and one of London's busiest squares fell silent.

The Royal British Legion which organised this event has called for a "rethinking" of Remembrance, asking people to think not just of those who died in the two world wars but more recent conflicts as well.

After a bugler signalled the end of the two minutes' silence, the traffic restarted and hundreds of poppy petals were scattered into Trafalgar Square's fountains representing those who sacrificed themselves for others in conflict.


Veterans observe a two-minute silence outside the Hall of Memory in Birmingham


Some of the hundreds of hand-painted pebbles at the foot of the Tommy Statue in Seaham, County Durham


Two minutes' silence is observed in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh


THE STORY OF THE POPPY

In the spring of 1915, shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, a Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was inspired by the sight of poppies growing in battle-scarred fields to write a now famous poem called 'In Flanders Fields'. After the First World War, the poppy was adopted as a symbol of Remembrance.



A poppy is placed in a fountain during the Silence in the Square event in Trafalgar Square

[JudgeDredd]

Much respect to anyone who lays down their lives for the betterment of others.   :clap:

[Sir Slash]

Just came back from my hometown Veterans Day parade. A great and humbling experience even for an old fart like me. 

[Gusington]

Great post Asid. The picture of the crowd in Trafalgar Square is moving...all kinds of people in that shot.

[sandman2575]

Great post Asid.

+1 - wanted to chime in to say just this. Very important and moving subject. 

[Greybriar]

Thanks for posting those images, Asid. I hadn't seen any of them before that I recall.

Happy Armistice Day everyone.

[JasonPratt]

 O:-) O0

[FarAway Sooner]

Thank you very much for posting that.  Powerful stuff.

[Moreb]

Great thread with moving pictures. Thanks.

[FlickJax]

It's great to see there is some respect left in the world, long may it continue.