On Remembrance Day
Our Glorious Dead
It was Remembrance Sunday in the UK today. I was on my way to a coffee shop when I saw people leaving a Remembrance service at the Alton Town Hall, and suddenly thought I'd dash back home for my D-Lux 4 and take a few photos of people taking some time out of their day to remember those in the armed services who gave their lives for this country. I took some time out myself to contemplate what such a brave and courageous sacrifice the men and woman of this country, and indeed others like it, made defending our nation when we most needed it.
It's hard to imagine being faced with the prospect of leaving these comfortable shores knowing that you may never return. For many men and women that was the last time. The last goodbye to their loving family, and the last group of friends they would ever make. I watched the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on BBC 1 last night. Held at the Royal Albert Hall, it's a cold, hard soul that wouldn't feel moved seeing those service men and woman honoured for their bravery and service during the war. I've always thought war was such an extreme and ultimately unnecessary act of extreme violence, but sadly that's not how this world seems to work. We seem to get caught up in the will of others. For those who did, and left loved ones to mourn their loss, I think the Festival of Remembrance is a fitting tribute. It's a shame we don't have something similar for the men and woman who've made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country here at home too. You can however donate to the Police Memorial Trust and of course to the Royal British Legion itself.
The delightful Katherine Jenkins sung a powerful tribute towards the closing of the Festival with her song "A Flower Tells a Story". That link will take you to a video made, incredibly, by one of her fans for the song. It really is inspiring to see someone like Katherine, so unaffected by the life she's created for herself developing her incredible vocal abilities, showing such gratitude to those who, unlike most of us, sacrifice so much, so selflessly, time and time again.
I didn't grow up in the UK, but at the bottom of Africa. South Africa celebrated Poppy Day every year too. It was always an important time during the school year and I remember some seniors covering the front of their school blazers with poppies they'd bought in support. It's a lot more real when you live over here though, and see ex-servicemen and women in the community and sometimes even talk to them when you have the opportunity, leaves a lasting and deep sense of respect.
Katherine's not the only singer to record a song as a tribute to those fallen during the war. I grew up listening to Bryan Adams' "Remembrance Day". I think Bryan would probably have to tone it down to an acoustic ballad if I wider audience were to be considered. And that in itself would be a shame because I've always loved the emotion he put into the recording. Me, I love the fact that I now have 2 very different songs I can listen to when I feel like paying my own private respects.
