Happy 11/11/11!

Jack Doughty wrote:

The armistice that ended the First World War was signed at 11 o'clock (GMT) on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. This day, known as Armistice Day, is still marked in many countries as a day of mourning and of tribute to the fallen of the First and Second World Wars and other wars.
In the UK, though the main ceremonies to mark the anniversary have been moved to the nearest Sunday, now known as Remembrance Sunday, Armistice day itself is still marked, including by the observation of a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. This should be remembered on this day which adds another "11" to the series.

[Edited at 2011-11-11 11:48 GMT]

Jack Doughty wrote:

To Lucia: Actually, the tradition of wearing poppies (bought from the British Legion, proceeds to armed forces charities) has become much more prevalent in the UK in recent years, probably because British service men and women are still losing their lives in Afghanistan.
In fact, I wonder if it has gone a bit too far. I wear one myself and I am happy to see most other people doing so, but when absolutely everyone appearing in any capacity whatsoever on BBC Television has to wear a poppy, poppies are embroidered into footballers' shirts and dance costumes on a competitive dancing programme (in both cases, why not just wear a simple British Legion poppy?), I feel it is being used as a marketing tool, and the social pressure to make everyone conform is getting like that on young men in the First World War to wear uniform or be presented with a white feather as a symbol of cowardice.

Jack Doughty wrote:

I hadn't heard of it but I've just looked it up. No, it's not for me. I am not a pacifist, it's an impractical ideology for the world we live in. I respect the British Legion and what it does for our ex-servicemen, and I shall continue to support the red poppy, I just don't like it being exploited and the pressure on everyone to wear it.