What will you be thinking at 8pm ?

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

Its 8pm on a summer’s evening. The cooling summer breeze is strong enough to stir the lanyards of the assembled buglers who are undeterred, even welcoming of nature’s intrusion which will carry their bugle sounds further.

And then it starts as it has done daily since 1928 (with a brief interlude before it was re-instated in 1929 and a moving of location to Brookwood Military Cemetry Surrey during the Belgian occupation during world war 2) .

The last post.

We are at Menin Gate at Ypres Belgium where many years ago, moved by the courage and bravery of young men they didn’t know, the people of Ypres sought to honour their memory in a way which was fitting. It’s perhaps no surprise that those who suffered under German occupation appear most inclined to honour our fallen warriors. Young men from Scotland’s Glens, England’s shires, the valleys of Wales, the Antrim Hills, from America’s mid west to Canada’s Rocky Mountains and the outback of Australia, a world community of soldiers united by purpose, and with a steadfast determination to rid Europe of tyranny, fighting to uphold and preserve all that is good about humanity.

And who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to achieve it.

No wonder those Belgians who witnessed at first hand such unselfish courage and sacrifice felt moved to bequeath a fitting memorial on these young men.

This weekend our club will go that extra mile with regard to remembrance. The minute silence, and the poppy displayed on our club shirts will be supplemented by a huge card display around Ibrox. A fitting and respectful tribute which rounds off a year which saw the warmth of reception received by 45 Comando Royal Marines at Ibrox, resonate throughout our armed forces. Given the events of the last seven days its a perfect conclusion.

And its to those events I now turn. The banner unfurled at Parkhead has been a catalyst to a whole series of debates and discussions within the media with regard to the humble poppy. There seems to a suggestion by some ( some well meaning I may add) that the poppy has become almost over commercialised, its application exaggerated. There is a danger that such a discussion could be hijacked.

No I wouldn’t want to see poppies on milk cartons, but one commentator I heard ridiculed poppied cufflinks and lapel badges, and the fact that someone was wearing such items “ as early as November the 1st”.

Its perhaps worthy of reflection that we enjoy the legacy left by these brave young men each and every day of our lives in almost everything we do from the books we read, the internet we browse, the things we are allowed to say and on and on. Almost each and everything we do in our lives reflects in some way the freedoms these young men acquired at Ypres and many other battle fields. While the battlefields name may change, the courage and sacrifice never change.

These freedoms were not bought, nor bartered, they were exchanged by young men who were willing to give everything they had. And they did. And then some.

Rather than have a discussion about whether we are going over the top with regard to our festivals of Remembrance, perhaps the question should be asked are we doing enough and often enough ?

Lets we Forget..........

Just ask the people of Ypres.

[OceanRain 2,845]

[MosesMcNeil 1,664]

Rather than have a discussion about whether we are going over the top with regard to our festivals of Remembrance, perhaps the question should be asked are we doing enough and often enough ?

Lets we Forget..........

I can't take that seriously, from anyone, the idea that we can be 'over the top' in our remembrance.

By being respectful, donating what we can and choosing (or not) to wear a symbol of remembrance we do nothing in comparison to the prize that allows us to do these things at all: our freedoms.

Lest we forget how this greatest of prizes was won in the first place - countless people the world over fought and died for it such was it's importance and value to our lives.

[minstral 5,375]

Nice post Dart.

[Jelle1880 215]

I went to this ceremony once, it's a real weird feeling that you get when you stand there, among people who actually fought in that war (And other wars), seeing them crack up when they walk past the names on the Menin Gate.

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

[MartinGers93 388]

I'm going to be completely honest here i think the card display is a step too far as if we are "glorify" the wars I think it should be kept to the respectable minutes silence and to have the poppy on the player's shirt but i think the card display is a step too far. Rememberance day is a day or rememberance and respect not a day of glorifying.

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

I can't take that seriously, from anyone, the idea that we can be 'over the top' in our remembrance.

By being respectful, donating what we can and choosing (or not) to wear a symbol of remembrance we do nothing in comparison to the prize that allows us to do these things at all: our freedoms.

Lest we forget how this greatest of prizes was won in the first place - countless people the world over fought and died for it such was it's importance and value to our lives.

Believe me MM there are some who are suggesting this. There is a discussion on it on Radio Ulster - I can provide the link if you like.

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

I'm going to be completely honest here i think the card display is a step too far as if we are "glorify" the wars I think it should be kept to the respectable minutes silence and to have the poppy on the player's shirt but i think the card display is a step too far. Rememberance day is a day or rememberance and respect not a day of glorifying.

I dont think there will be any element of glorification what makes you suggest that ?

[MosesMcNeil 1,664]

Believe me MM there are some who are suggesting this.

I know, I know. I can't take the arguments offered seriously, however.

The irony of them being able to debate this (non) issue at all as a result of others sacrifice seems to be entirely lost.

I'm proud they have the choice and freedom to do so nonetheless.

[delparlane 5,284]

Those songs never fail to bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.

[MartinGers93 388]

I dont think there will be any element of glorification what makes you suggest that ?

I just feel the card display is going over the top and just think it's more of a glorifying thing than a respectful thing

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

I just feel the card display is going over the top and just think it's more of a glorifying thing than a respectful thing

Well you can always stay outside then.

[markybear 136]

Dart, do u write for a living? If not u should mate.

Anyway My personal stance on this is.... remember those who fought and died, those who fought but survived and then died in later life. the poppy symbolises this excellently, a simple flower that now means so much to so many and by wearing one we can show we care, we care that these mens actions Gave the freedoms that some now abuse.

I don't wear one when I'm working as itd get caught constantly but I have one on display in my workvan and I wear one on my own clothes. Along with the 2min silence the poppy must stay.

We should never forget, I certainly won't

[caseyjones 3,009]

A splendid piece of writing D'artagnan. No right-thinking person could argue with any of that.

[ruglenrob 22]

and the fact that someone was wearing such items “ as early as November the 1st”.

I've heard people moaning about christmas starting in september but for anyone to moan about wearing a poppy "as early as november the 1st" god help us,what are we coming to? As far as i'm concerned we should be remembering every day of our lives,lived in freedom,thanks to every brave soldier who ever fought for it. Poppy on the 1st of november? No thanks,i'll be wearing my little lapel badge poppy everyday from now until i buy another one next year.

LEST WE FORGET GOD BLESS THEM ALL

[MartinGers93 388]

Well you can always stay outside then.

No I want to obzerve the minutes silence like i do every year