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We did it at the weekend in UK (just gone). I attended the Remembrance Day Parade in Colchester (the home of 16th Air Assault Brigade, currently in Afghanistan). I found it a very daunting and humiliating experience being in the presence of real heroes and their families. The Paras really are bunch of tough bastards...
*looks around suspiciously*
*decides it has been far to empty for far to long*
*backs away slowly....then runs out door!!!
*and sees something magically appear at the same time*
Remembrance Day
Every year, on 11 November at 11 am – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations since the beginning of the 20th century.
History
At 5am on 11 November 1918, three German government representatives accepted the Armistice terms presented to them by an allied commander, General Foch of the French Army. The demands of the Armistice included the withdrawal of German forces to the east bank of the Rhine within 30 days; immediate cessation of warfare; and surrender of the German fleet and all heavy guns with no further negotiations until the signing of the peace treaty.
The armistice became effective at 11am the same day, and as the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium, four years of hostilities ended.
After World War II the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom's proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.
Observation of silence at 11 am
As a mark of respect to those who have died and suffered, people in Australia are encouraged to stop what they are doing at 11 am to observe one minute’s silence and reflect on the loss and suffering caused by war.
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Are you wearing your poppy young Montague?
actually.....no.....
usually someone comes round door to door with them.....but i guess the eternal rainfall had kept them away....
Shame on you!
i know...its no excuse really...
i'll see if i can swim down the shops soon....
I shall be attending the local RSL service (today) out of respest for my relations who served in both world wars, and sadly the few who didn't return.
I was fortunate in that I served my military service between the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and was never required to fire a shot in anger at a human being.
*round applause*
Today, if we do nothing else, we should remember that:-
The journalists didn't give us freedom of speech, it was the soldiers.
The politicians didn't give us a democratic vote, it was the soldiers.
The holy-men (Priests Rabbi's Imams etc) didn't give us the freedom to worship who we like, it was the soldiers.
The great farmers, scientists, engineers and entrpreneurs didn't give us the freedom to earn money how we like, feed our families until they are not hungry and enjoy comforts and chattels from modern technology, it was the soldiers.
If you would like to express your disagreement with any of the above, the irony is that it was the soldiers who laid down their lives to let you do that in safety and with impunity.
You don't have to pray, or give gifts, a donation or anything, remember that the soldiers fell to give you that freedom of choice.
And that is all you have to today, Remember Them.
Done.
Read the boys the story of Jack (John) Simpson and his Donkey. They were in awe when I told them I have stood by his grave.
In awe of Simpson that is. They are unconditionally in awe of me.
I sent a remembrance text to everyone this morning.
Yes... I've thought about joining the armed serives to aid in the support of freedom... alas, I have very much problems with blood...
I once tried to donate blood at the red cross. I completely freaked out, burst into tears, sat there sobbing as the nurse tried to calm me down, then ran out of there as fast as I could.
Funny thing is, I don't have a problem with blood at all. Gimme needles, scrapes, gash on the head arm leg etc, cut myself many times (not purposely lol) and have never reacted like that at all. Ever.
I think it may have had something to do with the amount they were taking and the sight of all the people lying there, attached to a tube which went into a tank while they were pumping it out of them like pumping up a leech (which I've never done either).
it was all a bit too surreal, I think. 
Well, I'm alright with my own blood, but in small quantities. Saving Private Ryan made me wanna throw up.
I loved that movie!!
I bet you woulda lost it watching full metal jacket?
I loved it, too... I think it really hit where it was supposed to... very touching, indeed, and masterfully made. It's just when that medic guy died and was bleeding like crazy... oof!
Haha... maybe.... I like to make things that will disorient people, not make their body parts splatter in all directions...
Like that light weapon that makes you get vertigo, or the sound one that goes even further...
The films, Saving Private Ryan and We Were Soldiers are ok. The action scenes were ok but they were nothing more than action scenes from a film. Speaking as an ex-serviceman, in my opinion, the worst parts of both of them films the scenes where Ryans Mother and the Wives of the soldiers were told of their losses. You can stand up with your mates and fight with them, do something to protect each other but how are your family supposed to cope when they need you most and you are not coming home - ever.
Thats why I like Black Hawk Down.. It's a lot more realistic than others and the producers/directors were
commended on it.
*haven't seen the end of SPR* Lalalalaa I'm not listening!
Wha?! I musta seen it at least a dozen or so times, and you haven't even watched it once?!!
...Not in it's entirety...
(Loads up Demonoid)
I havnt seen the end of SPR either...whats up with that?!?
I went to belgium last friday and it was excellent
met several crazy frenchmen, got lost in a trench tunnel, bought some chocolate, friends hit on a waitress...a rather excellent trip lol. Great thing is for my English Coursework I get to watch Blackadder which incidentally is my favourite war-related tv...soap...drama...comedy...satire...thing
yay...go blackadder!!
i really must watch all of those again....most amusing 
They're all on youtube i was watching them all the other day. It shuld return! Or have a modern day equivelant!
heheheh Yeh, Blackadder was a riot!
The English - them make great comedies.
Yeah, I am a Blackadder fan also, I have them all on DVD.
I like the 4th series the best,(Blackadder Goes Forth)
The one about WW1.
"I have a cunning plan m'lord"....
Not on topic per se, but today is the anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination.
Heh. I just watched the X-files episode where they hint at the Cancer Man being the real assasin
the Cancer Man?
Is he like, the Santa Claws of screwed up Deoxyrhyboneucletic Acid?
I don't even know how to respond to that...
I'm confused... I really don't want to Google it...?
You are the one who said it!
I erg... uhm... yea...
You're saying something!!!!
(I'm pretty sure)
I like to confuse people by reciting the ingredients from shampoo bottles and telling people that they're putting this stuff all over them several times a week.
Like that old email about the government brainwashing us with dihyrdogen monoxide
- Some call Dihydrogen Monoxide the "Invisible Killer"
- Others think dihydrogen monoxide should be Banned
- Dihydrogen Monoxide is linked to gun violence
- Dihydrogen monoxide was found at every recent school shooting
- Athletes use DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE, or DHMO, to enhance performance
- Dihydrogen Monoxide has been found in our rivers, lakes, oceans and streams
- Dihydrogen Monoxide is a major component of acid rain
- Thousands die each year after inhaling dihydrogen monoxide
- Dihydrogen Monoxide can be deadly
- Find out the truth about Dihydrogen Monoxide
Find out more at http://www.dhmo.org/
Johnny was a chemist's son,
but Johnny is no more.
What Johnny thought was H2O,
was H2SO4.
Wow.. it's really sad there's a whole website linked to it now!
Do I want to click on those links?
And what is the fuss over Dihydrogen Monoxide?
it's fine. they're safe. just, kinda sparse.
LOL!
I didn't mean to imply they were unsafe!
I'm feeling lazy and wanted someone to tell me what they were instead of me going there
The 'is christmas' one reminds me of a widget i had on sidebar - 'is it friday?'
LOL!
@Morgan, DHMO.org is a spoof site
At least... I hope it is
Yes, SK, I get that... The original email was a big spoof that got sent out years ago that is still circling now.
When I first got it, the link at the bottom just led you to a page that had in big writing "You are an idiot, its water" or something similar.
I was just surprised that someone has gone to all the effort to create an actual proper site about it.
oooh, okies
I guess it is a bit of a length to go to.
