Race, religion, sex, sexuality, political standing, student protests, strikes, football, road rage, and arguments. All pail into insignificance at 11am on the 11th November every year. It's the one time, the one day where people stop and think. People's squabbles and petty differences are temporarily forgotten to show in one voice, that we will 'Never Forget'. 93 years on from the end of World War 1 the same respect and thanks is still shown. Admittedly the younger generations don't necessarily understand the significance of the sacrifice given by those men and women, but they wear a poppy, the observe the silence and think about the fallen.
Remembrance day in modern climes stands for more than remembering the first world war. And even the second world war. It's a day to simply remember, to thank and to honour the fallen. The fallen from every generation. From every battle, past and present. The sacrifice made to protect our country and our way of life. While we stand still for two minutes there are men and women facing fire from foe the world over. They are putting their lives on the line in the name of their country, our country, and the very least we can do is put our lives on hold every year to remember that.
As we stand and observe the silence, the famous words of war poet Wilfred Owen ring true:
"Dolce et Decorum Est, Pro papria mori"
It's a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country. This is the sentiment of war. The sentiment of our troops. Though many fear death, they are more than willing to risk it for the honour and privilege to serve their country. And, in turn, we honour it, we respect it and we will never forget it.
Remember our fallen and donate:
https://donations.britishlegion.org.uk/RBLDonation/?gclid=CNTQrLKjs6wCFQsb4QodHlwImg