Thread: The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - ARMISTICE-REMEMBERANCE

"In Flanders Fields" is written as a poem but, if read as punctuated, it tells a story.

It was written at Essex Fields British War Cemetery and, in 2014, I heard it recited there at the foot of the grave of a 15 year old rifleman which made it all the more moving.

I would thoroughly recommend a tour of the WW1 battlefields of the Western Front in France.

We must certainly never forget the sacrifices made by those who served.

Originally Posted by Chesand

We must certainly never forget the sacrifices made by those who served.

The ones of Yesterday's, Today's and Tomorrow's for those serving.
Kryn

I was in Bunnings this morning and trying to keep an eye out on the time to observe the the minute silence. To my pleasant surprise just before 11 am an announcement was made requesting the observance and again afterwards to thank the shoppers.

Often Bunnings get criticized but today they did the right thing, I hope other major retailers showed the same spirit.

Peter.

I'm 75 this year. Some of the things that I remember are:

November 11 was originally called Armistice Day. I think that Eisenhower changed to Veterans Day.

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) would be out selling poppies, they were paper and red. It was a very big deal to wear a poppy a day or two before to a day after November 11. Even as a kid in the very early grades, I was expected to wear a poppy. I haven't seen one of those paper poppies in years.

It seems that our involvement in the Vietnam war changed November 11 from a solemn day to a holiday. (A hippie thing, I think.) Some of the media is trying to bring the remembrance back into the date. I'm not sure of the media's real intent. It seems to be more individual recognition than anything else. And what about the individuals that aren't recognized?

My (Uncle) namesake waded ashore at Anzio (WWII) and returned. He was never really "right" afterward. There were times where he would tear up for no apparent reason. He would never talk about it. His lasting advice to me was, "If you are ever in the army, carry a carbine and not a Thompson." (It is a weight thing.) My whole family would stay away from my Uncle on November 11. As I got older I was told that it was his request. My Aunt told me that he would sit in a darkened room and just cry for most of the day. I suspect that many of us would do the same thing after having lived through the same experiences.

I was coming through security at Adelaide airport @10.55. They started handing out poppies and explaining the reason both personally and over PA system. At 11.11am everything in airport stopped

Very very impressed. Would be interested if it was management or staff that came up with it.. Appreciated

Originally Posted by Tonto

I was coming through security at Adelaide airport @10.55. They started handing out poppies and explaining the reason both personally and over PA system. At 11.11am everything in airport stopped.

WOW!

It is obvious that your countrymen really care about the real meaning of Armistice Day.

Originally Posted by rrich

WOW!

It is obvious that your countrymen really care about the real meaning of Armistice Day.

There were services everywhere. In our locality (Pop. approx 20,000+) there was a service with over 500 present and wreaths laid by various groups including schools and service clubs with cadets doing flag raising etc.