h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>> If you live in the UK, you *have* to wear a poppy (or else you're considered a traitor of the case), you *have* to observe the two minutes silence.

Not true. That is simply not true Bel.

It certainly does seem to be *very* political in Northern Ireland.

Ah, good point. It would be.

...something that's passed almost without notice:

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/world-loses-last-world-war-i-combat-veteran-after-death-of-perth-digger-claude-choules-20110505-1e9d9.html

...more listings:

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=last+surviving+WW+I+veteran&hl=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images




I vividly remember seeing TV video coverage of the last five surviving veterans of the American civil war aired for the centennial celebration of the end of the American civil war, 1964, though all had died by that time.

http://genealogytrails.com/main/lastveteranobits.html

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Civil-War-Veterans-Come-Alive-in-Audio-and-Video-Recordings.html




... a favorite passage from Woodrow Wilson:

"...to end the scourge of war forever..."

http://articles.latimes.com/1992-06-07/opinion/op-195_1_world-leaders




I personally consider Woodrow Wilson to be America's finest political visionary of the 20th century.

Another item of relevance:

http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/brunel/U235897

The kind of a story Michael Caine might do.

Let's hope the doubters got the message.

Makes me wonder if I am a doubter.

I don't celebrate war and there has been only one war worth of mentioning where my country participated in it's own will.

Makes me also wonder if all this feels different if one comes from a large-ish country with a long-ish military history.

Oh, and what was the message anyway?

In reply to Ben's post #21: it is how it comes across. It is what I've seen people complain about.

I've even seen somebody suggest to freeze in h2g2 for two minutes, which would have effectively forced every user to observe the two minutes silence had it been done.

I don't celebrate war, but I do take the time to remember my grandfather.

He lied about his age to join the Marine Corps for World War II. At 17 years old, he was helping reunite families and rebuild homes in Japan. He was one of the most loving and compassionate people I have ever known or am likely to meet.

I also remember friends and loved ones who have served, whether they agreed with the wars they were fighting or not.

In short, I don't look upon this day as one celebrating war or nations. I see it as a day celebrating people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for others.

(Wow! That turned out far more cliche than I originally intended. Apologies all! )

>> I've even seen somebody suggest to freeze in h2g2 for two minutes, which would have effectively forced every user to observe the two minutes silence had it been done

Yep. That was me.

What I actually said was "It might be possible to freeze the site for 2 minutes at the relevant time too, to make the site go "silent" as well." Statement of fact - it might be possible to do it.

I often suggest things to find out what other people think of them.

One thing I've learned in this life is that just becaue I think of an idea, doesn't make it a good one.

B

Two minutes contemplation and reflection on any matter, at any time, and on any subject never caused harm to anyone and is two minutes well spent.

So if you see a car driving full-speed toward you, will you contemplate the matter (or your shopping list) for two minutes before jumping aside?

I'm pleased to report that my life was not in any danger while I observed the two minutes' silence today, thank goodness

Bel, <> that's why the Royal British Legion sell the poppies, to care for the wounded, the bereaved and some of the elderly servicemen, ALL YEAR ROUND!

But really it should be your government caring for them. Or the Queen. They are the ones sending them to war.

But we all owe them an infinite debt.

I have a question, regarding UK. There's still couple wars in which UK is participating, isn't there? Those soldiers, are they sent there or do they volunteer?

It's their job, they chose that career Hati. We don't have conscription any more.

So, once they sign up, they go for the whole thing, Iraq or wherever?

Today those who join the services do so knowing full well that they could be sent on active service. The two world wars were something else.
One can wonder what would have happened if Great Britain had not got involved.
In that respect I look on Remembrance as Thanksgiving.

ok I've been thinking very long and hard what to say to this thread. I did but it's been eating me. This and some other things around the site.

Make of it what you will

Most of you know what I did, where I come from and some of my background. Poppies and all that comes with them has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As has noticing every war memorial I have ever passed, no matter how fast, it's something that registers with me.

Some of the language used in this thread has, frankly, shocked me. "They" "slaughtered" (as though only one "side" was slaughtering. Really?

Since the comments are coming from people not currently resident in the UK (aside of Mala: one thing you notice about NI is that just about EVERYTHING about the place can get political if someone wants it to) it is easy to see why you would fall into the trap of believing some of this guff.

The reality is that, with the exception of idiots like the FA and the EDL who are hijacking poppies for their own nefarious reasons, the majority of people who wear a poppy, attend memorial services etc etc are remembering ALL war dead. Civilians and military alike. Conscripts and Volunteers. Officers and enlisted (wo)men. The people who were killed in the horrific firestorm over Dresden as much as the people in places like coventry. The people who lived near the Dams on the Ruhr as well as those in places like Belsen. Everyone.

Because the point isn't that anyone is glorifying war, or those who fought and died (or just died, or fought and didn't die but wish they had) it is about commemorating it, marking their sacrifice and remembering. In the hope that it doesn't have to be like that and can change.

Don't confuse individual members of the military (who, contrary to what the Murdoch press will tell you are all heroes, some of them are total w and some are ) with the governments who use them to fight their wars. There is a human story behind every one of those soldiers (and the rest). This is not about politicians, footballers or kings and queens. It's about people. Like us.