Over the last few days there have been many Remembrance services across Scotland. Some today, on Remembrance Sunday; others two days ago on the anniversary of Armistice day on 11th November.
Whatever the date the one thing all ceremonies had in common is that at 11:00 a.m. those assembled paused for two minutes in silence. People might remember those listed on the memorial they were standing next to. Perhaps they may have remembered others they have known personally, or through family stories, who were not on the memorial but who died on active service. They may have thought of the men of the 51st (Highland) Division who captured German-held Beaumont Hamel on this day ninety five years ago. In the middle of a public ceremony each will have had their own very private thoughts.
When you read this all Remembrance services will be over for 2011. Why don't you tell us what you did this year to remember?
Whatever the date the one thing all ceremonies had in common is that at 11:00 a.m. those assembled paused for two minutes in silence. People might remember those listed on the memorial they were standing next to. Perhaps they may have remembered others they have known personally, or through family stories, who were not on the memorial but who died on active service. They may have thought of the men of the 51st (Highland) Division who captured German-held Beaumont Hamel on this day ninety five years ago. In the middle of a public ceremony each will have had their own very private thoughts.
When you read this all Remembrance services will be over for 2011. Why don't you tell us what you did this year to remember?
For the first time in many years I was at the Remembrance Sunday service at my home town of Brora.
ReplyDeleteA very good turn out of about 200 people observed the 2 mins silence and because the memorial is beside the A9 the main road traffic was stopped.
As the clock struck eleven the car drivers turned off their engines and all you could hear was the rustle of the wind in the trees and the birds singing.
A few seconds into the silence came the sounds of sniffs coughs and a baby mumping but they soon subsided.
After two minutes the piper struck up 'Highland Cathedral' as the wreaths were laid. An old lady came out of the crowd and laid her own personal tribute of a small poppy-factory cross.
As the piper started playing a very light rain started which added to the melancholy atmosphere, and I felt it was very appropriate for the day.
A well attended and suitably solemn service in front of the Clyne War Memorial which is just how it should be.
On November 11th this year, I finally concluded the transcription of articles in the local paper, the Stornoway Gazette, written in tribute to those servicemen from the Isle of Lewis who fell in the Second World War. There are nearly 300 articles, which account for about 60% of all the Fallen from WW2 from Lewis.
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon, I went to the local cemetery and paused beside the gravestones to those lost in the Iolaire Disaster of 1919. Not all stones carry a name - they are Known unto God.