Happy Veteran's Day
Discussion
I don't know if you guys over there also treat Armistice Day as a general Veteran's Day as we do in the U.S.
Regardless, to the fellow Veteran's here, to all who served at one point or another, have a happy and safe Veteran's Day!
I can't sit and have a pint with you, but I'll have a pint later for you nonetheless!
Regardless, to the fellow Veteran's here, to all who served at one point or another, have a happy and safe Veteran's Day!
I can't sit and have a pint with you, but I'll have a pint later for you nonetheless!
Sunday will be the big sombre day. 
I wouldn't use the term "Happy" Veteran's Day either. It's not exactly supposed to be a fun day.
We do honour those who have fought and fallen. There will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday and most church services this weekend will be dedicated to the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
We do honour those who have fought and fallen. There will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday and most church services this weekend will be dedicated to the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Eric Mc said:
I wouldn't use the term "Happy" Veteran's Day either. It's not exactly supposed to be a fun day.
It's just how you wish someone a good holiday, and it is a holiday. It honors the fallen, and those who served.
When I think of my grandfather's contributions, I get a smile, I don't get sad that he's gone.
Eric Mc said:
It's probably an American thing 
We all go round here on Remembrance Day looking glum.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 11th November 23:05
Don't they process down Whitehall to the strains of Dido's Lament? (no not the self-obsessed, girlpop crap singer) I always thought it a beautiful piece of music.
Of course I meant no direspect to veterans on either side of the Atlantic. I just thought that the American predeliction for offering people a "Happy (fill the blank) Day" may not be the appropriate sentiment - being more in line with what you might say at Christmas, Thanksgiving or on Birthdays.
All that I recall about Rememberance day when I was younger are the poppies and my Grandmother ushering us "oot the door" to go to service "doon the kirk".
Today we (my brother in law and I - himself being an ex SEAL and Marine Recon medic) mostly honored, through several beers, the service of his Grandfather and my Father.
His Grandfather, whom we lost earlier this year, served on board the ship that took Roosevelt to his meeting with Churchill and Stalin, and was later an LST pilot for Normandy. My Dad served with the Air Force SOS (7th SOS - "Air Commandos" the guys that wore the funny "Aussie style" cowboy hats) in Vietnam and surrounding areas.
Cheers
ErnestM
Today we (my brother in law and I - himself being an ex SEAL and Marine Recon medic) mostly honored, through several beers, the service of his Grandfather and my Father.
His Grandfather, whom we lost earlier this year, served on board the ship that took Roosevelt to his meeting with Churchill and Stalin, and was later an LST pilot for Normandy. My Dad served with the Air Force SOS (7th SOS - "Air Commandos" the guys that wore the funny "Aussie style" cowboy hats) in Vietnam and surrounding areas.
Cheers
ErnestM
Jaglover said:
I wonder LA, isn't it just as inappropriate using a thread about Veterans day to post yet another attack on George Bush
This time mate I won't make a comment...........Let's just ask the veterans of WW1 or WW2 how THEY feel about war!............
People who have seen their friends blown to pieces.....don't see the sense in it.......
Bush never left the U.S in his ....service? during his "misdemeanors'" whilst in service.........Brave hero! what?..
Whilst watching the news last night I saw the piece about the oldest remaining veteran from WW1 who is now 110. Still remarkably able in most respects I don’t mind admitting it brought a tear to the eye.
I’m taking my 88 year old grandfather to the service on Sunday again this year and is a day I think to feel proud for what his generation did and to honour the fallen but I am afraid the concept of having a ‘Happy Day’ is lost on me.
I’m taking my 88 year old grandfather to the service on Sunday again this year and is a day I think to feel proud for what his generation did and to honour the fallen but I am afraid the concept of having a ‘Happy Day’ is lost on me.
simpo two said:
my thoughts were filled with a mixture of deep sadness and anger at the waste.
History will be the judge of that.
Indeed
How do we define 'waste' in warfare?
I've nearly finished a biography of Alexander the Great. He's marched into the Punjab and if his men hadn't have revolted he would have kept on going to the Indian ocean.
What were those men fighting and dying for?, if you had asked Alexander his aims in the conquest of India perhaps he would simply say 'because it's there', were those men’s deaths a waste? perhaps they are content that the memory of their achievements live on thousands of year's later.
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