Remembrance or confrontation?

[blinkie]

Here’s an emotive subject as we approach Remembrance Day

 

Although it commemorates the Commonwealth dead from all conflicts, the main points of reference are of course WWI and WWII.

 

Are we right to continue with the event? Isn’t it all in the past and in Europe we’re all friends now?

Even if the only motive is to honour the dead, are we raking up the past by doing so?

 

Or an opposing view –

 

Should we stand up and not only recognise their sacrifice but also remember the circumstances that made it necessary? Why should we bow to political correctness with the “all in the past” gloss over when it fact it’s all in living memory and not so long ago at all?

[Mike Hill]

I think the fallen in conflicts past and present should never be forgotten.The war in Iraq and Afganistan are reminders that wether you beleive in justification for war,that there are men and woman who beleive in our society enough to lay down their lives for you and me.

 

There will be a day when there are no more WWII verterns remaining,and a day when nobodys father fought in the war,or indeed grandfather.But the Triumph and sacrefice made by England,America,the Commonwealth and its allies should forever be remembered.

[PeteB]

We have our Rememberence Day, do other countries have their's? Isn't one of the points that we remember our dead, for their sacrifice in doing what they thought was right. I would like to think that other nations think of their fallen who died doing what they thought was right at that time - even if history shows otherwise.

 

All the fallen soldiers, airmen and sailors died doing what they perseive as their duty, whether they where conscripts or volunteers.

[Andy Collins]

Definitely should continue the Remembrance Day. We spend plenty of time celebrating things like Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc, whats one day to remember the fallen men and women? Seeing the disgusting lack of support when a troop marched thru London a little while ago, returning from conflict, unforgiveable. Dont forget those who have served since WWII, Ireland, Korea, Afganistan, Iraq, then the Special Forces, who go out, unmentioned, on secret ops. The donations made to the Poppy Appeal go to a very worthy cause, to help the families of servicemen and women, at their time of need. They get very little financial support from the government, and the Poppy Appeal goes a long way to ease the strain.

In the States the veterans have many hospitals and specialist units for war-damaged vets, apparently in this country there is now one such unit, and the govt is talking of closing that too.

[Lee Winger]

In the States the veterans have many hospitals and specialist units for war-damaged vets, apparently in this country there is now one such unit, and the govt is talking of closing that too.

 

 

Yet another reason why I won't vote this shower in again!

 

As for the fallen they should never be forgot!

[MattyF]

As for the fallen they should never be forgot!

 

As winston churchhill said after the battle of britain,never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few...respect to any veteran of war who faught for this country and went through what they did in any theatre of war it makes me mad the amount of disrespect people have

[Lee Winger]

Churchill also said 'more jaw less war' . I agree with you Matty, the lack of respect people have these days is terrible!

[Shansen]

We have our Rememberence Day, do other countries have their's? Isn't one of the points that we remember our dead, for their sacrifice in doing what they thought was right. I would like to think that other nations think of their fallen who died doing what they thought was right at that time - even if history shows otherwise.

 

All the fallen soldiers, airmen and sailors died doing what they perseive as their duty, whether they where conscripts or volunteers.

 

In the US we have Veterans day which is Nov. 11 which honors all that served or are currently serving. We have Memorial day at the beginning of the summer which honors those who died in service.

[jonnie t]

I completely agree that we must honour the fallen and the lack of respect also makes me mad.

 

What about the “forgive and forget, all in the past” approach? My Grandad’s a veteren of the 2nd World War and in April 1945 was part of British forces that ‘liberated’ certain places in Germany. He’s highly decorated and had a pretty bad time in general in the war. Both his brothers were killed, one in Normandy in 1944 and one as a POW on the Burma–Thailand Railway in 1943. To this day he won’t knowingly buy anything German or Japanese and he takes it as a lack of respect every day to see all the German and Japanese cars and goods that we crave. I’ve actually been with him when he’s been in a mood about it and he looked around, shook his head and muttered ‘what was the point?’ I didn’t really known how to answer him. How can I say to him ‘all friends now Grandad?’

 

Now, I’m not expressing an opinion on this because I’m too young to have the depth of feeling that must be involved, I’m just highlighting one view that some people hold. Is it valid? Does the passage of time make it not valid anymore?

[Mr Ed]

Maybe- Forgive, but never forget.

Forgive the sins of the past, but never forget the sacrifices made.