Did you stop for 2 minutes?

[muzzy]

I did. So many people didn't though, drivers carrying on past about their daily lives without a care in the world.
Shame on them that were too busy to give 2 minutes of their time.

On another note, filling out the date on P739's was a pleasure today, 111111. Doesn't get easier than that!

[doorstepped]

I have always stopped and observed the 2 minutes no matter where I am and in whatever job I have had.

I have in the past stopped my vehicle and stood at the side of the road for the two minutes, and yes I have had some weird looks for doing so but I blame ignorance on behalf of the watcher.

so many people died for me to be able to make choices in my life that if the war(s) had gone a different way I might not have a chance to do so.

two minutes of my life once a year is a very very small price to pay for that.

LEST WE FORGET

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Yes




They shall not grow 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.


They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.


But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;


As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Binyon
(1869 - 1943)

[demon]

i did they can dock my pay if they want

[Tommase]

Yes, Pulled over in the middle of one of my busy-ish lanes (rural) hazzards on, and stopped

[singingpostman]

I most certainly did, good to see the BT van parked just up the street with its driver also observing the 2 mins silence and a guy in red car pulled up and switched his engine off for that period, but as someone else said a lot of traffic continued by during it, for me its personal I never knew my grandad because of him being killed in the war, but lots of younger folk must be affected by more recent conflicts, Iraq, Afghanistan etc.

[Blue29]

I did acknowledge the silence although on a day off and have been wearing a poppy though on a red fleece its a bit tricky to see.

I'd like to say I completely and respectfully disagree with this 'they shall not grow old' sentiment. Growing old is a pleasure many will not have. Yes you get creaky knees but there's a hell of a lot that's good about living a long life. Being able to disagree is down to the freedoms they fought and died for, I'm not trying to be controversial just airing my view.

[Tommase]

wearing a poppy though on a red fleece its a bit tricky to see

Ha ha, exactly what I said at our office !

[fng]

I did.

I dont want to judge and i may be very wrong, but i havn't seen any posties at my place wear poppies on fleeces shirts etc. Down to personal choice i spose and you don't need to wear a poppy to be respectful but it's a nice gesture.

[TeeferTiger]

You could always wear a white poppy, or even a purple one if you want to remember all the animals that were killed in service too.

I was silent at 11am, although I didn't realise it was 11am until it was 11:14am so I paid my respects then instead. But I don't just pay my respects once, or twice a year.

[Lounge Lizard]

I stopped for two minutes remembering those I knew who fought in the First or Second World War.
I no longer buy a poppy though as they are increasingly being seen as a symbol of support for this countries recent unjustified or illfated military adventures abroad.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I'd like to say I completely and respectfully disagree with this 'they shall not grow old' sentiment. Growing old is a pleasure many will not have. Yes you get creaky knees but there's a hell of a lot that's good about living a long life. Being able to disagree is down to the freedoms they fought and died for, I'm not trying to be controversial just airing my view.

No your right about freedom to disagree. The meaning of that particular passage, in my eyes at least, is to highlight that most soldiers killed on active service are young, rather than a comment on how good or bad growing old is.

[Lounge Lizard]

I'd like to say I completely and respectfully disagree with this 'they shall not grow old' sentiment. Growing old is a pleasure many will not have. Yes you get creaky knees but there's a hell of a lot that's good about living a long life. Being able to disagree is down to the freedoms they fought and died for, I'm not trying to be controversial just airing my view.

No your right about freedom to disagree. The meaning of that particular passage, in my eyes at least, is to highlight that most soldiers killed on active service are young, rather than a comment on how good or bad growing old is.

Absolutely. That was written at a time, long before Thatcher, when growing old was something one might look forward to.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I stopped for two minutes remembering those I knew who fought in the First or Second World War.
I no longer buy a poppy though as they are increasingly being seen as a symbol of support for this countries recent unjustified or illfated military adventures abroad.

I agree - I wear a red poppy to commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, in whatever conflict, and I also wear a white poppy to show that I hope for an end to all wars. I also wear both to show whilst I respect the servicemen themselves, I don't support the political reasons behind recent conflicts.

[Blue29]

I'd like to say I completely and respectfully disagree with this 'they shall not grow old' sentiment. Growing old is a pleasure many will not have. Yes you get creaky knees but there's a hell of a lot that's good about living a long life. Being able to disagree is down to the freedoms they fought and died for, I'm not trying to be controversial just airing my view.

No your right about freedom to disagree. The meaning of that particular passage, in my eyes at least, is to highlight that most soldiers killed on active service are young, rather than a comment on how good or bad growing old is.

Absolutely. That was written at a time, long before Thatcher, when growing old was something one might look forward to.

I think we're not really at odds with our take on young soldiers. The passage to me, and the way it's used, seems to reflect on those who will remain young forever so to speak. Young in the memories of those who have now grown old. To me there's a difficult sadness in finding comfort that age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. It just doesn't sit well with me as I think it should. Thanks for putting your thoughts, I'm not the best at understanding english. Again, I think we've all got the same point of view. Respect to all.