Thursday, November 08, 2007

Remembrance

One of the more heartening developments of recent years (they're few and far between, God knows) has been the resurgence of Remembrance celebration. A couple of decades ago, it seemed more than likely that the whole business would gradually wither on the vine, as the world war veterans died off and the population at large ceased caring enough to maintain the rituals. There was what seemed then to be a live debate about whether the whole thing 'glorified war', whether it was 'appropriate' for modern times - there were indeed white poppies for the more pacifist elements (I believe the absurd Jon Snow still sports one). The two minutes' silence was moved from 11am on 11/11 to the nearest convenient Sunday, etc. Now, rather amazingly, all that has changed, and Remembrance is bigger and apparently more heartfelt than ever, even though there are now a mere handful of WWI veterans and those from the last spot of bother are in their 80s. There have, of course, been a few small wars, with some loss of life, in recent times - is that why Remembrance has come alive again? Or is it, perhaps, that the world wars retain and strengthen their presence in the collective memory as more is found out about them - and, in particular, as more and more very good books and TV series (e.g. the work of Laurence Rees) are made about them?
Anyway, this brings me on to poppies. Here, I believe, things have got worse. This year's crop seem flimsier than ever, more inclined to crumple and fall unnoticed out of the buttonhole. Why don't they put more effort into the poppy business? A different poppy - or a range of poppies - could be designed for each year (by 'name' designers, if need be) - and a luxury range of larger silk poppies (they used to be available, but now the large ones are back to paper). I am sure more money would be raised, and a wider range of people encouraged to buy poppies. Not like me to come up with sensible and contructive suggestions, I know, but I pass this on for what it's worth.

8 comments:

  1. Here - for anyone who doesn't know the name - is a Laurence Rees link.

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  2. In the US, we call it Veteran's Day and it is always on a Monday so we can get a three day weekend. Most people in the US probably have no idea of the connection to the First World War. And poppies have nothing to do with it. Since we have Memorial Day at the end of May (also on a Monday) to celebrate those who died in our wars, Veteran's Day is more of a "thanks for fighting, buddy" kind of celebration. In fact, most Americans don't even get the day off. Schools and government offices are closed but that's about it.

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  3. And at what point did we start to hold two minute silences? And what's with a minute's applause instead of silence at football matches? Is it just a way of ignoring the fact that there's always somebody who wants to blow an air horn half way through? You'd think silence would be the easiest thing in the world except it seems that it isn't.

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  4. The area of road around the newly erected Cenotaph was briefly rubbersied to muffle the noise of wheels in the 1920s.

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  5. You are so right on the Poppies. I can't stand the new-fangled oak leaf they put with it; I always remove it. And why did they have to rename it; so that you no longer have 'Haig Fund' embossed on the black button but the tautological 'Poppy Appeal'?

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  6. Rubberised roads eh Captain? That sounds like an idea whose time has come round again... And, while we're at it, isn't the Cenotaph itself a work of genius? An entirely new kind of memorial and it just looks so utterly, timelessly... right.

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  7. I'm wearing a grey suit today and the poppy looks very smart on it - looking at it made me want to use a buttonhole more regularly. It's a beautiful symbol and I hope the veterans, particularly those in their 80s now, see it as some kind of solidarity and recognition for their sacrifice. Gordon Brown was the first person I saw wearing a poppy this year. Is this because he saves his money and uses the one he bought last year? The Queen and senior politicians always seem to have bigger and smarter poppies than the rest of us.

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  8. Sure you're right about Gordon, Spongebob - can just see Mrs B ironig out the creases for him...

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