On this day let us not only remember

[dark_castle1]

those that paid the ultimate price but also those who came back from various conflicts damaged in some way be it mentally or physically and also remember the brave lads and lassies even on this day serving our country.

We are eternally grateful to one and all and proud of our brave servicemen and women. May god keep you all safe and well to return to your families.

[chickengrandma-2008]

Well said corgi.

  I second that.

[ginap.123]

After visiting the Somme a couple of years ago I so agree with you

[fishpieface]

So true, they deserve our greatest respect.

To remember them all today is the very least we can do.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Many years ago I was married to a serving soldier to went out to Kuwait in 1990. He was out there for 7 months both before during and after the first gulf war when Saddam invaded Kuwait. He was working as a medic in one of the hospitals out there.

He saw many upsetting things and even took some photos of the less gruesome things.

A friend of the family was sharing a bunk with another lad who saw something so horrendous that he took his own life out there by shooting a gun through his mouth (not the family friend but his room buddie)

When my ex got back to Aldershot, that is when he started drinking heavily - spirits not beer - which eventually led to us splitting up.

Gulf War Syndrome has always been played down but it is my opinion that my ex's drinking was a side line of this syndrome - he never drank spirits before except a whisky at christmas.

So although my ex is still alive to tell the tale....he did suffer in a different way.

I shall be watching the BBC at the Cenotaph and have a lump in my throat and a box of tissues to hand. I am behind our serving girls and boys 100%.

[fishpieface]

That's so sad Tintin.  It is only relatively recently that the emotional

effects has been acknowledged and is beginning to be understood.

It seems to have always been that the serving forces have it drummed

into them how "hard" they must be and emotion is for wimps.  So not

true and thank goodness that has now been recognised as our

forces are only human and humans have emotions.

They should hold their heads high and be proud, as their country

is of them.

[dark_castle1]

tintin, my last ship was the "Canberra" in 82 then I came ashore for good. I think I might know how your ex felt and all I can say is there but for the grace of god and a few good friends go I.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

RC.....I know quite a few who were down in the Falklands and who were on The Canberra. Also met survivors from The Sir Galahad - and the stories that I was told are too horrendous to write down (not only was I married to a squaddy but was in the TA myself).

Sometimes it is harder for those who have lived but have seen the brutalities of war and conflict.

My favourite piece of music of today is always NIMROD - when that plays you will know I will be sobbing my heart out.

Been watching the programme last week presented by Gethin Jones and the stories that got me most, were the ones of the families of the bereaved from Afghanistan and who have left babies behind.

[petitecalicocat]

[right-then-petal]

[cookiecookuk]

our prayers to soldiers past present and future.

just watched the cenotaph .very moving.

[rsjlew]

Hear hear corgi, I'm sure we all know of or have family members who have suffered in so many ways.

I had a Great uncle who was badly injured at Dunkirk. He was captured and gave all credit to the Germans who treated him and probably saved his life. He was one of those who lived with his memories, not that he ever told us very much about what happened.

I remember on Christmas he came to stay with us as usual and he watched a war film that was on t.v. one afternoon. That night we heard him shout out in his sleep, presumably the film had brought back bad memories

[elizabeth_lt]

Here, here to all that has been said.

My dad was at Dunkirk and, growing up, we always honoured the two minutes silence with him.

Did you all see at the Albert Hall service last night, that little girl whose dad was there unexpectedly? Well, I just burst into tears and continued to cry right to the end.

About three years ago, I took part in the Festival at the Albert Hall. A choir that I belonged to at the time was asked to participate. So we were standing behind the musicians. The singing was mostly just bits of backing the soloists. But they did a video interview with a young widow, and suddenly she was there, walking in a spotlight across that circular floor. And we were supposed to sing "You'll Never Walk Alone". Well, the tears were streaming down and we all looked at each other and tried to sing but we were so choked up, not a sound came out!

We were very well looked after by the Army Catering Corps - a lovely lunch and tea and all went like clockwork.

I shall never forget my day there.

Lizzie
X

[ilove2patch]

That sounds wonderful & very moving. My dad was a prisioner of war & it stayed with him for ever. 

[bitsnknots]

I always get upset at this time of the year when I think about how much past generations gave so that we could have our freedom.  I also feel it for the current soldiers who have fought in wars such as the Falklands, the Gulf wars and Afghanistan.  I also feel for the families who have lost loved ones in any battle.

[right-then-petal]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_poCV_15xIQ

for those people who may nearly forget,it,s very moveing