Contrasts on Remembrance day

[oldmansquipper]

Yesterday, I had the honour and privilege to take my part in the parade in Whitehall. I was marching with about 30 members of the RAF Survival Equipment (Squippers) Association (RAFSE(S)A). Along with 4 other squippers I took a taxi from Victoria to as near as we could get to Horse Guards. As we stopped outside the security cordon some distance from Whitehall, the Police let the taxi through so we did not have so far to walk...Nice gesture chaps.

When we subsequently got out of the taxi and asked how much was the fare, the driver refused to take any money from us!! He said "No charge for you guys today and thank you" Brilliant :D:ok:

Then in the afternoon as I came out of Victoria station (Still bemedalled and hatted) a dirty scruffy individual in his mid thirties I guess came up to me and said, in a heavy east european accent "Vich Vor you commemorate? Velt Vor 1? or 2?" A reasonable question from a visitor I thought, so I said "Actually the day was to remember all those lost in ALL wars". I turned away intending to go on my way and he grabbed my shoulder spun me back and shouted in my face "Vy you government do zis? Vy you kill and keep killing many peoples??" and he continued to berate me for some time :sad:

Eventually I managed to get him off my back and went on my way. A most unnerving experience but which failed to spoil what was a fantastic day.


BTW; If any of you guys & gals out there are interested in the recently formed RAFSE(S)A - Perhaps because you have had cause to use our kit in anger - PM me and I will give you contacts etc. This formal association is under the patronage of Air Marshal Phil Sturley.

[Straighten Up]

There were some equally baffling comments on the daily fail yesterday along the lines of "why do you (as a country) have to stick your nose in". It infuriates me so much that people cannot separate political arguments for and against war from human commemoration of people who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

I am grateful to and proud of all of you.

[27mm]

Spotted Mr Milibean holding his wreath at half-mast, unlike the other pollies; no doubt put up to it by his leftie mates....:ugh:

[500N]

oldman

You have more patience than me with people like that.

[TomJoad]

Spotted Mr Milibean holding his wreath at half-mast, unlike the other pollies; no doubt put up to it by his leftie mates....:ugh:

Wow, talk about over analysing. You make no mention of the number of eyelets in the shoes he was wearing or his position to the nearest grassy knoll. get a grip fella:ugh:

[ShyTorque]

"Vy you government do zis? Vy you kill and keep killing many peoples??" and he continued to berate me for some time

You should have explained that without the efforts of our war dead he may not have been born in circumstances where he could come here to ask those questions.

[NutLoose]

Blimey OldmanS well done, it was only a short time ago you were on here attempting to drum up support and members for your burgeoning Association and here you are a few weeks later marching down Whitehall.. I would just like to add my hearty congratulations for your association and the rapid recognition it has gained in a short time.
As for the scrote that accosted you, simple answer to him would have been if you do not like our Country and the values we hold, **** orf home.

[goudie]

Nice one!

Former Wren to ex-minister: You Sir are a disgrace - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10441802/Former-Wren-to-ex-minister-You-Sir-are-a-disgrace.html)

[oldmansquipper]

Yes..its always the way, isn't it? ...things I could have, or should have said at the time but didn`t..Hey ho

Sadly... my religious beliefs kicked in (I am a devout coward) and I also declined to take him on physically. The estimated 35 year age difference didn't help either. ...and anyway..If I had hurt him it would likely increase the burden on our `international` NHS...and I would probably have been nicked for assault ;)

Oh & BTW. Nice one, WREN Laing:ok::ok:

[Tashengurt]

Makes you miss the cold war doesn't it?


Posted from Pprune.org App for Android

[oldmansquipper]

Indeed Tasch!;)

[Courtney Mil]

If I didn't have so much faith in our politicians I could be surprised by the amazing number of "inadvertant" claims they make. But I'm sure they are all "within the rules". Well done Ms Laing.

Great respect to you OMS; very well done all round. :ok:

[thefodfather]

Talking of contrasts on Remembrance Day, it always amazes me that while people all over Europe are remembering at 11:11 on 11/11, the German Karneval season officially opens. Although, to be fair the tradition does significantly pre-date all of the major conflicts and German schools do a great job of teaching children about the history of both World Wars.

[sitigeltfel]

Yesterday, President Hollande was booed by groups of far right and "Red Bonnet" demonstrators during the Armistice ceremony on the Champs Elysées. Scuffles broke out when the police moved to arrest them.
Also, in Chateaurenard, the deputy mayor was stabbed in the back, and two other councillors injured by a nutter who infiltrated the commemoration parade.

There are a lot of sick people about.

[PapaDolmio]

Having been out of the service for nearly two years I was pleased when my factory manager (Czech) announced we would observe the 2 minutes on monday. We're a pretty international bunch here (no prizes for guessing what we make) with poles, brits, dutch, Russian, latvian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Canadians to name a few. I'm pleased to report that the entire staff observed the silence and paid their respects.

[handysnaks]

no prizes for guessing what we make

Looking at your location, is it six fingered gloves? ;)

[FantomZorbin]

:D:D:D:D:D!

[SASless]

Not exactly a Remembrance Day yarn.....but if you are a member of any Military anywhere in the World....you will fully embrace the notion how important the bond is between those who serve.

To the Captain and Crew of the USS Dewey......Hand Salute! Bravo Zulu!



http://idrivewarships.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/buddeparting.jpg?w=595&h=396








A Sailor’s Dying Wish ~ Nov 10, 2013

After signing my Pop, EM2 Bud Cloud (circa Pearl Harbor) up for hospice care, the consolation prize I’d given him (for agreeing it was OK to die) was a trip to “visit the Navy in San Diego.”

I emailed my friend and former Marine sergeant, Mrs. Mandy McCammon, who’s currently serving as a Navy Public Affairs Officer, at midnight on 28 May. I asked Mandy if she had enough pull on any of the bases in San Diego to get me access for the day so I could give Bud, who served on USS Dewey (DD-349), a windshield tour.

The next day she sent me an email from the current USS Dewey (DDG 105)’s XO, CDR Mikael Rockstad, inviting us down to the ship two days later.

We linked up with Mandy outside Naval Base San Diego and carpooled to the pier where we were greeted by CMDCM Joe Grgetich and a squad-sized group of Sailors. Bud started to cry before the doors of the van opened. He’d been oohing and pointing at the cyclic rate as we approached the pier, but when we slowed down and Mandy said, “They’re all here for you, Bud,” he was overwhelmed.

After we were all out of the van directly in front of the Dewey, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, Petty Officer Simon introduced himself and said as the ship’s Sailor of the Year he had the honor of pushing Bud’s wheelchair for the day. Unbeknownst to us, they’d decided to host Bud aboard the Dewey, not at the Dewey. And so they carried him aboard. None of us expected him to go aboard the ship. I’d told him we were going down to the base and would have the chance to meet and greet a few of the Sailors from the new Dewey. He was ecstatic. The day before, he asked every few hours if we were “still going down to visit the boys from the Dewey,” and “do they know I was on the Dewey, too?”

Once aboard, we were greeted by the CO, CDR Jake Douglas, the XO and a reinforced platoon-sized group of Sailors. To say it was overwhelming is an understatement. These men and women waited in line to introduce themselves to Bud. They shook his hand, asked for photos with him, and swapped stories. It was simply amazing.

They didn’t just talk to him, they listened.

Bud’s voice was little more than a weak whisper at this point and he’d tell a story and then GMC Eisman or GSCS Whynot would repeat it so all of the Sailors on deck could hear. In the midst of the conversations, Petty Officer Flores broke contact with the group. Bud was telling a story and CMDCM Grgetich was repeating the details when Flores walked back into view holding a huge photo of the original USS Dewey. That moment was priceless. Bud stopped mid-sentence and yelled, “There she is!” They patiently stood there holding the photo while he told them about her armament, described the way it listed after it was hit, and shared other details about the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

Bud finally admitted how tired he was after more than an hour on deck. While they were finishing up goodbyes and taking last minute photographs, GMC Eisman asked if it’d be OK to bring Sailors up to visit Bud in a few months after a Chief’s board. I hadn’t said it yet because I didn’t want it to dampen the spirit of the day, but I quietly explained to GMC Eisman the reason we’d asked for the visit was simple: Bud was dying.

I told him they were welcome to come up any time they wanted, but I suspected Bud had about a month left to live. Almost without hesitation, he asked if the crew could provide the burial honors when the time came. I assured him that’d be an honor we’d welcome.

Leaving the ship was possibly more emotional than boarding.

They piped him ashore. CMDCM Grgetich leaned in and quietly told me how significant that honor was and who it’s usually reserved for as we headed towards the gangplank. Hearing “Electrician’s Mate Second Class William Bud Cloud, Pearl Harbor Survivor, departing” announced over the 1MC was surreal.

Later that night Bud sat in his recliner, hands full of ship’s coins and declared, “I don’t care what you do with my power tools; you better promise you’ll bury me with these.”

He died 13 days later. For 12 of those 13 days he talked about the Dewey, her Sailors and his visit to San Diego. Everyone who came to the house had to hear the story, see the photos, hold the coins, read the plaques.

True to his word, GMC Eisman arranged the details for a full honors burial. The ceremony was simple yet magnificent. And a perfect sendoff for an ornery old guy who never, ever stopped being proud to be a Sailor. After the funeral, the Sailors came back to the house for the reception and spent an hour with the family. This may seem like a small detail, but it’s another example of them going above and beyond the call of duty, and it meant more to the family than I can explain.

There are more photos, and I’m sure I missed a detail, or a name. What I didn’t miss and will never forget, is how unbelievable the men and women of the USS Dewey were. They opened their ship and their hearts and quite literally made a dream come true for a dying Sailor.

They provided the backdrop for “This is the best day of my life, daughter. I never in my whole life dreamed I’d step foot on the Dewey again or shake the hand of a real life Sailor.”

Without question, it’s the best example of Semper Fidelis I’ve ever seen.




A Sailor?s Dying Wish | iDriveWarships (http://idrivewarships.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/a-sailors-dying-wish/)


http://www.bluejacket.com/usn/images/sp/df/dlg14_dewey.jpg


http://www.destroyerhistory.org/assets/arleighburkeclass/ddg105dewey_01.jpg

[500N]

SaSless

What a superb story. Kudos to all.

I agree re the piping him as he departed, very significant.

[Hangarshuffle]

There's no point wearing a poppy if you just want to be popular | David Mitchell | Comment is free | The Observer (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/17/david-mitchell-remembrance-poppies-television)

Quite like the article, and agree with many points. As ever with the papers a broad range of views in its trail...

[ArthurR]

Royal Navy hero tells how Hitler couldn't stop him but health and safety zealots have | UK | News | Daily Express (http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/443425/Royal-Navy-hero-tells-how-Hitler-couldn-t-stop-him-but-health-and-safety-zealots-have)

Speechless

[500N]

The mind boggles.

Anyone know what they are insured for ?

[FODPlod]

500N - Public liability insurance is essential in these litigation-strewn days. If you'd ever tried to obtain permission from the authorities to organise a large-scale public event, you'd know. Even the amount of the excess to be paid per potential claim by individuals can be eye-watering. Try completing the procedure here to get a quote for a notional parade, especially when you don't know the number of attendees:One-Off Event Insurance (http://www.events-insurance.co.uk/pages/one-off-event-insurance/)
N.B. Other insurers are available. :)

[Dengue_Dude]

HSE, when you think about it, sadly are only responding to the kind of society we've made for ourselves.

When anything bad happens, there has to be someone to blame and hence to sue.

However, I would be happy to see a system brought in where each of us was able to waive the 'right to blame' for what amounts to exercising our own judgment. A simple Waiver form would suffice.

Then perhaps we can see 'Egg and Spoon' races, Cheese Rolling, Dwile Flonking and all those other deliciously eccentric facets of English life.

This was sent from the land of 'Baa baa Rainbow Sheep', the Doncaster version of the popular classic nursery rhyme calculated not to offend anyone. Irony was, this last lambing, at least 30% of the lambs were BLACK! Let the Lefty do-gooders sort that out while they're working out what we can and can't do safely. . . Give me strength!

[chopd95]

Happened to be in NYC on Veterans Day. Concierge in hotel ( age early 20's )was wearing a simple Poppy. When asked, his response was that he was born in England and always remembered.

[smujsmith]

Being a " getting on a bit" forgetful old bloke, I probably often forget to wear the poppy we always make a point of buying every year when "walking out". No one has ever accosted me for my failure, nor do I feel the need to feel guilty. I love my country, I'm proud to have had the opportunity to serve in the RAF, and value greatly what that experience has equipped me with. Any "visitor" to our shores who feel they might like to challenge my credentials are welcome, as long as they understand that their EU will not pay their dental bills. I see the poppy as a symbol of respect for the fallen, the occasional lapse in not wearing it is no crime.

Smudge

[SASless]

This is an amazing story....and very much shows the contrast between those who
"remember" and those who cannot be bothered.

You wonder why we think so little of our Congress?

There is one Congressman in Texas that needs his ass properly kicked.


She Was Married for Six Weeks When She Lost Her Husband to the War. She Spent Six Decades Wondering What Happened. The Answer Is Unbelievable ? FaithIt.com (http://www.faithit.com/war-widow-finds-answers-after-years/)

[airborne_artist]

She Was Married for Six Weeks When She Lost Her Husband to the War. She Spent Six Decades Wondering What Happened. The Answer Is Unbelievable ? FaithIt.com (http://www.faithit.com/war-widow-finds-answers-after-years/)

A stunning story. It suddenly got very dusty here in Maison Artist.

[SASless]

Airborne.....despite the rain, snow and sleet that fell today....the Dust in the Air just would not settle at my place.

One Last Gift....and a wonderful story of how some folks pitched in to remember a Soldier lost in Afghanistan.

Delivering One Last Gift - The Veterans Site (http://theveteranssite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/vet/article/Delivering-One-Last-Gift168?utm_source=social&utm_medium=vetfan&utm_campaign=Delivering-One-Last-Gift168&utm_term=20131126)

[cornish-stormrider]

and just to bump this back to the top where it belongs,

found this in the Torygraph this evening - if anyone is in the area at the right time could they fire up a smart salute from yours truly as the hearse goes by.

WWII pilot who died alone to be given fitting funeral after fundraising campaign - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10480388/WWII-pilot-who-died-alone-to-be-given-fitting-funeral-after-fundraising-campaign.html)


that reminds me - must renew the ole rafa membership.

[Piggies]

There has been a lot of discussion this year (more than I think over recent years) about 'Poppy fascism' i.e. the pressure to be forced to wear a poppy because it IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Some high profile media 'personalities' have refused to wear a poppy, yet I note that tonight on the Graham Norton show that everyone was wearing a ribbon for World AIDS Day.

Now I might be out of kilter, but the thought occurs to me that there will never be any 'World AIDS Day' fascism. Nobody in the Media in their right minds would ever dare question the wisdom of wearing a ribbon for World AIDS Day.

Oh dear.

[Bill4a]

I don't need to buy a poppy to remember, I do it to support the RBL who do such good work for the ex serviceman. Surely it is up to the individual whether he buys one, or just makes the donation, as many do. Perhaps they don't want me stabbing them with the pin?

Incidentally. The more ridiculous elfensafety decisions aren't made by the HSE, who get as frustrated with them as we do, but the council jobsworths! You elected them!