Remembrance Sunday

*This is not a typical post for me – but I wanted to share it for the benefit of my Dad – a “gratuitous Grandpa post”, if you will.*

This past Sunday was Remembrance Sunday here in the UK. Here in Hay, it was recognized with a parade from the town clock to a local church for a service, and then to the War Memorial in the center of town for a ceremony that culminated in the laying of poppy wreaths.

(For my American pals, Armistice Day is observed on November 11, same as Veterans’ Day in the US. It was traditionally observed with a  two-minutes silence at 11:00am; according to Wikipedia, the two-minute silence was moved to the nearest Sunday during WWII – hence, Remembrance Sunday – so the two-minute silence wouldn’t interfere with wartime production should it fall on a workday. A little bit of history for you there, folks, no charge.)

The start of the parade was impressive. Actually, it was the hats on the marching band that were quite impressive!!!

The marching band led the way, followed by some local troops, then some veterans, the Masons and some other local organizations, students from the school and the fire brigade.

I think the service at the church was a surprise to quite a few of the parents. (I felt bad for those who are non-religious/athiest.) It was very, very long; in the way of the Anglican church, we sang every single verse of each song. (Love the Catholics, who would have sung verses 1, 2 and 5, or something like that…)  That said, for how long the service was, the school children were very well-behaved – mine included *falls on the floor*.

Then there is Father Richard…and Curate Jimmy.  I have to admit, the service was moving, but the sermon was….unusual. Leave it to say that it included a story about a young lad that Father Richard knew from an early posting, a different friend’s “Aunt Bitty” having tea with Adolf Hitler, who she considered “mesmerizing”, and how much of what we know (and take as fact) is based on sound bites. I tried hard to follow along, but must admit that I was very confused about halfway through the service and wondering how it all fit in with the honoring of fallen veterans by the end.

I will also confess that when everyone sang “God Save the Queen”, in my head, I was singing “America” (“My Country ‘Tis of Thee”).  You can take the girl out of America, but you can’t take the Yankee out of the girl. Or something like that.

Here is Father Richard and Curate Jimmy at the War Memorial. And for clarification — Curate Jimmy is the Standard Poodle. He’s quite famous.

Even the town crier was present for the ceremony, although he was rather quiet.

Yes, we have a town crier. Doesn’t everyone?

Pea was one of three children who presented the school’s bouquet of poppies at the Memorial. You have to wonder what the veterans would think about a little American girl laying flowers at their memorial???

And for the record – the mismatched tights are NOT part of the official school uniform.

She looks so teeny, my little patriotic girl. This IS the same little girl who decorated all my Soldiers’ Angels care packages with Little Mermaid stickers. Bet the guys loved THAT…

But it was this veteran who moved me the most….at the Church service, he read the names of the local soldiers killed in action in both “the Great War” and the “World War”, during which he fought back tears. At the War Memorial, he placed his poppy wreath, and again fought back tears as he took his place in line.

May we never forget all that those who served have sacrificed for us and freedom. When you see a veteran – say “thanks”.