When I was in the supermarket the other day, I made a point of asking the Poppy Sellers what the schedule was for today as Hubby and I like to go up and pay our respects.
I was told that there was no parade, but things would start around 10.45 ready for the two minute silence at 11 am.
Hubby wanted to walk up. I wasn’t too happy about that, especially knowing we’d be standing around, so we left home just after 10 o’clock, with me hoping maybe we could stop and have a breather before everything started.
It didn’t work out that way.
We turned the corner just before 20 to 11, and saw that a large crowd were gathered around the Memorial, the service already being in progress.
We took a place at the back and luckily there was a tree Hubby could lean against, after avoiding the dog poo. When it came to singing, we had no service sheet, but I knew the first verse of Bread of Heaven and la la la’d the rest. We both knew where to ‘Amen’ and the Lord’s Prayer was instilled into us both at a very young age.
It was then announced that there was some time to wait before the two minute silence because they had started early. We could not believe it when the group of people in front of us got out their ciggies and vapes, so we had to move as neither of us wanted to be smoked out.
They had a tape of The Last Post and as the strains of the bugle faded, everywhere was silent……………. for about 30 seconds because traffic continued to go by.
It was as if the world stopped for those precious seconds.
After the two minutes, wreaths were laid by various associations, political parties, armed forces, emergency services and groups. We couldn’t stay for that and started for home.
It took a while and passing the school, I was able to get a closer look at the project pupils had put up on the railings.
As I crossed over the road, I noticed this on the lamp post
A tribute of a different kind perhaps, but another departed soul remembered.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Extract from The Fallen, by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)
pensitivity101 
Very touching Di 💜💜
thanks Willow
I remember several years ago I was in my moment of silence and a student wanted my attention. I didn’t speak but held up my hand for them to wait. After the time had passed I educated them. Seems they had never heard of taking the time to pause on Veteran’s Day to remember the sacrifices made on their behalf….
A sign of the times, which is saddening because we should not forget.