Something Important Happens on 11/11/11 (Not Another Skyrim Thread)

[CobraX]

I'm in Canada and have been doing this since I was a little kid, and I'm not gonna stop now. I's good to show some respect/thankfulness for people who gave/risked their lives for your safety.

 

[Vegosiux]

Because they haven't given their lives for you. Not most of them anyway.

Not sure of trolling or stupid

Misquote, I'd say *cough*

 

[Gungnir_01]

I live in Norway and were not very big on remebering wars(atleast from my experience.) so sadly there will no remembarance day.

 

[Blunderboy]

Because they haven't given their lives for you. Not most of them anyway.

Not sure of trolling or stupid

Rememberance day is for remembering two world wars. The fact that you're sitting here trying to insist that people didn't die for YOU shows WHY Rememberance Day is important.

I want you to look at your hair color. Is it blond?

What about your eyes, are they blue?

Are you German?

If you answered no to all these questions, then I assure you, sir... you truly DO owe your life to the brave men and women that held the line, that refused to allow Hitler to take Europe over, who kept him from owning the seas.

If they had not done that, your birth would not have happened. Your parents' birth would not have happened. Your grandparents' youth would not be concerned with things like 'the nuclear family' and 'television' and 'rock and roll' but 'oh god I hope we're not taken to the poison room today.'

Seriously. Learn.

Vegosiux: Sorry, mate, totally fixed that.

Now I think you've misquoted me. I'm on your side.

 

[V TheSystem V]

I'm UK. There will be two minutes silence for me, despite not being anywhere but my house (unless work decides to change my shifts again). I will still buy a poppy when I next see a poppy stand, and I will still be quiet for two minutes despite not being told to be.

If I was still in the Air Cadets I'd be doing a parade and church service on Friday. However, education got in the way, so I shall contribute with silence.

 

[DracoSuave]

Because they haven't given their lives for you. Not most of them anyway.

Not sure of trolling or stupid

Rememberance day is for remembering two world wars. The fact that you're sitting here trying to insist that people didn't die for YOU shows WHY Rememberance Day is important.

I want you to look at your hair color. Is it blond?

What about your eyes, are they blue?

Are you German?

If you answered no to all these questions, then I assure you, sir... you truly DO owe your life to the brave men and women that held the line, that refused to allow Hitler to take Europe over, who kept him from owning the seas.

If they had not done that, your birth would not have happened. Your parents' birth would not have happened. Your grandparents' youth would not be concerned with things like 'the nuclear family' and 'television' and 'rock and roll' but 'oh god I hope we're not taken to the poison room today.'

Seriously. Learn.

Vegosiux: Sorry, mate, totally fixed that.

Now I think you've misquoted me. I'm on your side.

its the internet i can never tell any more

 

[MetalDooley]

Here in Ireland there is usually a few small Armistice Day ceremonies to commemorate the Irishmen who died during WW1 but the majority of the folks here don't mark the day for reasons that should be obvious

I don't personally mark the day either but I will spare a thought for my great grandfather who served with the British army during WW1(and thankfully survived or else I wouldn't be here)

 

[biGBum333]

indeed it is taken seriously in australia, doesn't get as much recognition as anzac day but it still holds great importance.

 

[Irridium]

As an American, I'm ashamed to say that we don't celebrate Remembrance Day (Veterans' Day, as we call it) with quite the same fervor that others do.

We don't treat our veterans with enough respect and gratitude. It can be quite saddening sometimes.

Indeed. Hearing my step-grandfather tell stories of when he got back from Vietnam... just saddening. Seems to be getting better though, since these days if anyone badmouths a soldier they pretty much become a social pariah.

 

[Racistman3d]

I have an exam on during it here, so no wont be, and I don't do anything for it either. I know it's about honouring sacrifice, but there's a thin line between remembering what they did and glorifying war and making heroes out of people that honestly (in the case of Australia, where I live), haven't done much other than die for Britain, fight once for security against Japan (a threat that turned out to be non existent) and the rest fight various questionable wars. I respect the soldiers that had no choice and where put into their predicament, but I will not glorify or even justify what they did if they choose to be there. The old argument of them fighting something evil and we were the good guys is flawed, yes the other sides we fought did some absolutely horrific things, but if you think that "our" sides had amazing moral compasses that where forced into war to do unpleasant things to keep good in the world, you are kidding yourself. There is no such thing as morality or a "just" war in my mind. Veterans and soldiers are people and I wish nothing against them, but they and their opponents of all battles are equal in my mind, and all deserve to be remembered, but not celebrated for what they have done many's actions could never be accepted being done by a regular civilian.

 

[Blunderboy]

its the internet i can never tell any more

No worries, I just assumed you meant to quote the other chap.

 

[Sight Unseen]

In Canada, we take Remembrance Day pretty seriously. Here in Ottawa there's always a big ceremony at the War memorial, and at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Moment of silence, playing of the last post, horrible bagpipes, everything.

Also we recite the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian soldier during WWI. for those who've never heard it before, I'll post it below.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

EDIT: "in Flanders Fields" is also written on the canadian $10 bill.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I buy the poppy symbols to support the War veterans, but I always forget to wear it. I don't attend the ceremonies that are held, but I do take the day to reflect and consider the horrors of warfare. It's really not about politics - it's about remembering how brutal war can be and remembering the cost of war. Whether or not you think the war was worth it or not, we should all pause and reflect on the tremendous suffering and cost that wars bring. WW1 was a true nightmare for so many soldiers, on all sides of the conflict. WW2 was even more of a nightmare. It's always important to remember that.

It should be about remembering the cost of war, not politics, but it isn't. It's about glorifying the idea of going off to fight for one's country.

That's why i wear a white poppy.

(Warning, rant incoming, not directed at you personally)
And that is what I hate. That someone misinterpreted the point of the Red Poppy to see it as glorifying war. It's not, it never did. The Red Poppy is meant to honor the Veterans who survived, and to lament those who perished. It was NOT about how glorious the conflict was. But some ignorant asshole decides that it is too harsh and cruel, so they made up a fucking white poppy so people could say that they're helping when they aren't.

I find it absolutely disgraceful, especially considering that the Veterans do not condone the White Poppy, nor is it sold by the Canadian Legion Branches. NONE of the money raised by selling white poppies goes towards the veterans, it's pretty much a slap in the face to them that someone decided to take a day dedicated to vets and their fallen friends and turn it into a goddamn anti-war protest.

I'm sorry, this isn't directed at you personally, but I just absolutely hate the implications attached to the White Poppy.

 

[dyre]

It's called Veterans' Day here, but I think Remembrance Day is a better name. More sobering, gives off a feeling of tragedy for good people who died in wars, many of which didn't have to happen (I'm looking at you, World War I...). I'm sure some of our nationalist citizens will treat it as more of a gung-ho "America saves the world every time" sort of celebration though.

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

Yes I know, I'm awaiting Skyrim as eagerly as the next chap, but the last thing this forum needs is another Skyrim thread.
Anyway, moving on.
This Friday in the UK, at 11.00am, a two minutes silence will be observed for people to remember the dead and wounded, not just of the two World Wars, but also of those wars before and since.
Also, many people will be wearing poppies, as a symbol of this remembrance.
So my fellow Escapists, do they also do this where you are from, and if not, will you now be doing it?
I will be doing it, like I always have. I'll be at my office at work but even when I've been on the street before, I've damn well made sure I've done it.

Spoiler: Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
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.

American here - upstate New York. I don't celebrate Remembrance Day but since he was an American that became popular in the UK, please throw a poppy for me for this man:

Spoiler: One of the greatest comedians/social critics to ever live

 

[Tharwen]

I'll damn well make sure my trap will be shut and that my chest will proudly display my poppy.

My opinion is that if we have to keep reminding ourselves of our past mistakes, then we have learned nothing from them.

It's not a mistake. We're honouring those who died protecting our people and our values. It's the opposite of a mistake.

So the people they were fighting were mistaken instead?

 

[Soviet Heavy]

What annoys me is that recently Remembrance Day in the UK has not exactly been commercialised, but it's been changed to suit the week. If it's during a week day they always make the closest monday the bank holiday and do all the parades and stuff on the closest sunday.
When I lived in Belgium, it didn't matter what day of the week it was, if it fell on a wednesday, that day would be the bank holiday, the parades and services would be held on that day.

I will be taking my two minute silence on the 11th at 11am, I'll be at work, but if they don't like it, stuff 'em.

Pray tell, what does that date mean?? and why is it so important to do that stuff on that day?? me being Mexican has got me completely blank about remembrance day, because we dont really remember anything interesting that happened in WWII and that holy day is nonexistent.

EDIT: oh and what is a poppie??? if anyone can answer me

This is a Poppy

It's a type of flower that grew in the fields of Flanders, France, following the great war. The artillery and mines tore up so much of the ground that it made incredibly fertile soil which allowed the Poppy to grow very well in the environment following the conflict. Today, most Commonwealth Countries wear the poppy in the month of November to honor those who died during the World Wars.

 

[BrionJames]

It's good to honor our veterans. Although, we may not always agree with the conflict they are involved in, we can at least respect that they are fighting for something they believe in.

 

[krazykidd]

I find this pointless. Why not have a moments peace for those who have ever died, those who are dying, and those who will probably die someday (id est everybody)?

Because they haven't given their lives for you. Not most of them anyway.

Please enlighten me my good man. Who precisely has given his/her life for me, and therefore has been granted the privilege of a moment of silence after their passing? The only bloke I recall worthy of such renown was that magic fella called Jesus, but turned out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

You're kind of a jackass, so I doubt that anyone would knowingly die for you specifically.

However, considering the wars that defined the 20th Century, the fact that you aren't living in a fascist or communist state is probably something that some soldiers died for, and you should be thankful for that.

Funny thing about history is , theres no way to know if losing the war and become a fascist or communist state would have been better or worst than what is now. We can only speculate but never know .

 

[SPARTANXIII]

My dad works in the Royal Navy, Chief Petty Officer.

Will I be remembering? You're damn right I will, even if I'm the only one at school who does.