Chappie, I think as we get older, particularly when you wear uniform or have done in the past, it gets harder to be stoic when you think of those who have gone before. I know I find it very difficult to listen to certain hymns or read certain poems/epitaphs at this time of the year without a significant lump in my throat. I remember the Cenotaph march past a few years agon - camera close-up on a St Dunstan's representative as he approached the memorial - Smart 'eyes left', fixed the Ceotaph with a sightless gaze, marched past for the requisite 20+ paces and equally smart 'eyes front'. "Gulp".
There's stoic but it can be very hard.
VT