Remembrance Protocol
 

Very nice Remembrance service at my local church this morning.

The priest-in-charge stated that he wanted the congregation to remain seated during the two minute silence as that way we could see the wreaths which were laid at the altar.

I appreciate that elderly, infirm or disabled may remain seated but wondered whether it is protocol to stand during the two minute silence? I notice that those who serve or have served in the forces remain standing.

Only those too infirm to stand should sit, in my humble opinion. It's basic manners, like standing up when a lady enters the room. You just do it.

Couldn't say for sure but it is my understanding is that it's a two minutes silence, not a two minutes standing or any other particular posture, so it's up to the person running the show or the individual to decide.

AA and I posted together so there you have it: Two people, two differing opinions :)

It doesn't matter. It only matters that we do remember.


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You can do handstands as long as you are silent in memory of the fallen. I know that a few of my fallen colleagues would appreciate a wacky silent gesture in their memory

Another opinion - its becoming too much of a topic. Watching the tv in a hotel bar abroad, another British person turned to me and said there is simply too much of it now. The rugby was on at it was England v Argentina. The silence was held there I think (you see I cant even remember I'm becoming immune), it was held at Manchester v Arsenal (very well observed), it was held obviously at the Cenotaph (the prime national focus) and it will be held again nationally tomorrow at 11am GMT.
Multiple times, if you are tuned to the media.
Once, at the Cenotaph, is enough.

Yep, putting my full fearnought and Cromwell hat on again but its too much and is turning it into.....I don't know.....superficial overexposure?

We will remember and we will be made to remember are two different things.

You can do what you like to some extent (depending on the location), there's no set etiquette for a church, certainly.

I agree, if people believe in respecting the fallen then they should do so, and they should do it in whatever way they prefer. If they would rather sit down in quiet contemplation, power to them. If they want to stand to attention, good for them.
If others want to just get on with other things, I support that too, as long as it's not disturbing the former groups.

Agreed. I prefer personal reflection rather than having the event and protocols become overarching.
Before we know it Clintons will be selling 'Happy remembrance sunday' cards. I think, as with so much these days, we're in danger of overcooking the thing.
Before anyone deliberately misunderstands what I mean let me be clear, I'm not for a second suggesting we can understate the debt we owe to those who died.



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Tashengurt-totally agree and understand. You have described what I fear next.
The bloke in the bar became quite animated about it all, with mad theories about money being made in donations going into wrong hands, creamed off.....I just switched off to it. Not for me I'm afraid.

I think for it to be overdone you would have to argue that a proportion of those observing silences or attending parades, or even buying poppies, we're doing it simply because they wanted to be seen to do it - rather than thinking it was actually the correct thing to do.

I am not convinced myself. In a day and age where we suspect the Military Covenant to be a cynical ploy I think the public generally support the military and even those that don't can distinguish between supporting a cause and being thankful for the sacrifice others make.

Through media and from the prolonged nature of ops the public probably have a reason to feel somewhat more engaged one than they have in the past.

Perhaps one of the posters from the US would like to comment on the concept of over doing remembrance?

It's one weekend out of 52, I personally don't think it is over done.

This morning, not keeping track of time, I popped out into the garden on a quick errand. Suddenly I heard the Last Post being sounded in the local churchyard. Call it overreaction if you like, but before I even thought about it I had snapped (or as close as you can at my age) to attention, and remained there, freezing my butt off, for the two minutes until Reveille sounded. I think the freedoms I enjoy are worth two minute's grateful remembrance in a year.

Media formula

Is it a reflection of age and the age? For many in the media the Falklands is as the Boer War was to us. The majority in the country now need to be reminded.

When I was a boy we had to stand whenever the national anthem was played/ heard!

Even in our own sitting room!

Why do the younger generations find it so hard to respect the fallen!

I rest my case!!:ugh:

Respect is an attitude of the mind not the body.

I shall observe 2 minutes silence tomorrow, November 11th, at 11:00.

I recall my mother telling me that in the immediate years after the war even all the traffic in London came to a halt for the two minute silence.

On one occasion a taxi driver left his car engine running and he didn't half get some stick from everyone else afterwards!

The younger generation are no different to any younger generation that went before them - they have their own way of doing things. Just because they may not snap to attention on hearing the bugle on the 11th hour does not necessarily mean they are being disrespectful. Each of us, and the youth above all, have our own ways of doing things. Collective, public and ever orchestrated acts are not for everyone. The "old order changeth yielding place to new" as Tennyson said.
I was heartened with the turnout from our youth from the town today at the memorial - their generation as good as any that has gone before.

This little nipper has the protocol sorted out!

:D

Perhaps the vicar's thinking may have been influenced by the fact that if a lot of people stand, the elderly and infirm who cannot, end up sitting in a sea of standing people and can see nothing. Maybe he/she was just being inclusive?

Salute
 

Well done. I do not mind admitting it brought tears to my eyes. Honour to our heroes who gave us our freedom.