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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/23/2008 8:02:40 PM
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Roberta_
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Since this is Memorial Day weekend, I thought I'd ask:
Does the UK do anything special to honor their fallen military personnel?
If so, what and when?
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/24/2008 2:34:50 AM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DenimDiva
Since this is Memorial Day weekend, I thought I'd ask:
Does the UK do anything special to honor their fallen military personnel?
If so, what and when?
Remembrance Day - BBC Site
quote:
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns of Europe fell silent. After four years of the most bitter and devastating fighting, The Great War was finally over. The Armistice was signed at 5am in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, France on November 11, 1918. Six hours later, at 11am, the war ended.
The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919 throughout Britain and the Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of hostilities the previous year. It came to symbolise the end of the war and provide an opportunity to remember those who had died.
After the end of the Second World War in 1945 Armistice Day became Remembrance Day to include all those who had fallen in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
In a letter published in the London Evening News on 8 May 1919, an Australian journalist, Edward George Honey, proposed a respectful silence to remember those who had given their lives in the First World War. This was brought to the attention of King George V and on 7 November 1919, the King issued a proclamation which called for a two minute silence:
"All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead."
The second Sunday of November is Remembrance Sunday. At 11am a two minute silence is observed at war memorials, cenotaphs, religious services and shopping centres throughout the country. The Royal Family, along with leading politicians and religious leaders gather at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London for a service and all branches of the civilian and military services are represented in ceremonies throughout Britain and the Commonwealth.
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"Once again....drum roll please! Manda is right"
doinkdom, October 2008
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/24/2008 11:14:52 AM
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Roberta_
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Manda- that is an awesome site!
It's full of a lot of information!
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/24/2008 12:06:11 PM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DenimDiva
Manda- that is an awesome site!
It's full of a lot of information!
Yes, I was pleased when I found it too (hadn't seen it before I went looking for a source for you!)
I didn't realise that there is an exact replica of the Cenotaph in London, Canada, so I learned something too!
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"Once again....drum roll please! Manda is right"
doinkdom, October 2008
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/24/2008 10:25:47 PM
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Roberta_
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How is the two minute silence observed? Do people actually respect others right to have silence during that time?
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/25/2008 7:25:15 PM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DenimDiva
How is the two minute silence observed? Do people actually respect others right to have silence during that time?
It's often announced, sometimes just "assumed".
When I was a child, we'd always go up to London to one of the big street markets on Remembrance Sunday, e.g. East Street Market, and at 11am we'd hear a bell ring from a nearby church. At that sound, everyone stopped still, and the chatter and banter would die down to an eerie silence. Anyone still moving around or talking would either take the hint or be told what was happening. Ten minutes later, the bell would ring again and everyone would once again go about their business. A very very moving experience.
At our local supermarket, it's announced in advance, to let customers know.
Wherever I've been, the silence has always been respected.
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"Once again....drum roll please! Manda is right"
doinkdom, October 2008
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/26/2008 8:51:42 AM
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lexie
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There is no remembrance day in the US?
I find the moments of silence aren't that respected anymore. In schools and buildings and stuff it is, but I find if you're out at the mall or the supermarket people just keep going. Depends on where you are, but I wonder if it has to do with the changing face of the city, maybe with people coming from countries where this wasn't something that was done, they don't know to do it or they don't have a connection to it. Who knows.
The sale of poppies is down now too. I buy mine every year and where it, but it's not something that is that common anymore.
I was reading an article yesterday about spelling, and how Canadians are caught in a spelling no-mans land between British and American spellings of words. Made me think of this thread!
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/26/2008 11:18:56 AM
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Roberta_
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lexie
There is no remembrance day in the US?
We have Memorial Day with camping trips and picnics.
It really is sad to think about. It 's like people just don't care anymore. My dd is one of the few kids her age (15) who even has a concept about the meaning behind Memorial Day.
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 11:37:17 AM
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agapetos
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quote:
We have Memorial Day with camping trips and picnics. Not really the same thing though is it? I agree that it is a shame. We hear so much about how patriotic Americans are, and it seems to strange to know that you don't really remember those who really were patriotic by giving their lives for their country.
I know that sounds as though I'm slamming every American. I'm not. I'm just a little saddened that their service seems to have been forgotten.
The Festival of Remembrance is also televised (on one of the main channels) each year, which is very moving.
Manda ~ are you watching 'Filth' tomorrow? I suspect that I will be.
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Wisdom is not using them in fruit salads!
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 11:42:30 AM
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Roberta_
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quote:
ORIGINAL: agapetos
quote:
We have Memorial Day with camping trips and picnics.
Not really the same thing though is it? I agree that it is a shame. We hear so much about how patriotic Americans are, and it seems to strange to know that you don't really remember those who really were patriotic by giving their lives for their country.
I know that sounds as though I'm slamming every American. I'm not. I'm just a little saddened that their service seems to have been forgotten.
It's not a slam, it's a sad fact. Americans will tell you they are patriotic. However, it has been my experience that most Americans are only patriotic when it comes to exercising their right to gripe.
quote:
The Festival of Remembrance is also televised (on one of the main channels) each year, which is very moving.
That sounds cool.
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 11:48:17 AM
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doinkdom
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Patriotism is alive and well in America...so long as we don't infringe on someone's else's right to whine about it.
America is so obsessed with political tolerance right now, it's ridiculous imo.
I think it's fabulous and the right thing to do regarding Remembrance Day. Very thoughtful and very humbling.
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 11:52:49 AM
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agapetos
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quote:
America is so obsessed with political tolerance right now, it's ridiculous imo. As many countries are...
A couple of years ago, my step-mother asked my brother if they still had blackboards in schools. I laughed and said 'They're not allowed to call them blackboards anylonger, it's not PC!'. She asked what they were called 'Chalkboards' was the answer. 'Whiteboards' are now called 'Markerboards'. She wasn't impressed!
_____________________________
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not using them in fruit salads!
My blog
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 11:53:57 AM
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doinkdom
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quote:
ORIGINAL: agapetos
quote:
America is so obsessed with political tolerance right now, it's ridiculous imo. As many countries are...
A couple of years ago, my step-mother asked my brother if they still had blackboards in schools. I laughed and said 'They're not allowed to call them blackboards anylonger, it's not PC!'. She asked what they were called 'Chalkboards' was the answer. 'Whiteboards' are now called 'Markerboards'. She wasn't impressed!
yeh, neither am I 
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 11:54:30 AM
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Roberta_
Posts: 6929
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From: East Bay Area
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quote:
ORIGINAL: agapetos
quote:
America is so obsessed with political tolerance right now, it's ridiculous imo. As many countries are...
A couple of years ago, my step-mother asked my brother if they still had blackboards in schools. I laughed and said 'They're not allowed to call them blackboards anylonger, it's not PC!'. She asked what they were called 'Chalkboards' was the answer. 'Whiteboards' are now called 'Marker-boards'. She wasn't impressed!
Oh my goodness!!
BTW- aga- I love your sig!
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 12:01:06 PM
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clag4christ
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quote:
We hear so much about how patriotic Americans are, and it seems to strange to know that you don't really remember those who really were patriotic by giving their lives for their country.
Actually...we observed in our family over lunch a moment of silence as well as a special prayer offered up on behalf of our fallen service members. Also we were watching a Cubs ballgame and they had a moment of silence in the middle of the game in memoriam. They also had a Bald Eagle fly over the stadium and then land on his handler's arm. It was quite moving...
< Message edited by clag4christ -- 5/27/2008 4:24:31 PM >
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If you don't want people to insult your intelligence; don't make it so obvious that you have none.
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 12:02:41 PM
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Roberta_
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That sounds cool clag. Wouldn't it be nice if the whole country were patriotic as a group?
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 12:07:31 PM
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agapetos
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Clag, that really is wonderful.
_____________________________
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not using them in fruit salads!
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 12:08:20 PM
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doinkdom
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I think so. I was born and raised on an Air Force Base. Dad was a lifer.
My husband was in the Army and we both still have military friends that we love to be around.
It is a different lifestyle and a totally different set of values for the most part. There are no lone rangers in the military. It's a team and group effort.
hmmm...almost sounds a little biblical 
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 12:25:12 PM
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Roberta_
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I was born to a Marine, adopted by a Navy family, married the first time to an Army man and the second time to a Navy man. It saddens me how much respect for our country has spiraled down.
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RE: Question from a Brit to any Y... umm American - 5/27/2008 1:11:27 PM
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manda59
Posts: 6016
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From: Hampshire, UK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DenimDiva
BTW- aga- I love your sig!
I thought of agapetos' sig at church on Sunday!! We had a shared lunch, and one lady made up a pineapple with fruit and marshmallow "kebab" type things stuck in it. One type had a strawberry, a blueberry and a grape .......................... but I couldn't help noticing another type, which no-one was taking, which had a strawberry, a blueberry and a tomato!! lol
_____________________________
"Once again....drum roll please! Manda is right"
doinkdom, October 2008
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