Remembrance day London

                                                Remembrance Day London

Once again the yearly rituals are back with us. Poppy day is here again. For a few weeks before the day poppies will be sold mostly by sellers from the Royal British legion as a source of income. Many will buy these poppies as a sign that they remember the sacrifice of the troops who fought in two word wars and in other wars.

In many ways the greatness of the day is that it is mostly not political. People of every background celebrate together. There are no bounds of politics as a nation remembers those who died in the great conflicts. The tone is rather somber. There is no passing out of military bands. Most people just speak of remembrance at this time. The official ceremony takes place at the cenotaph in central London, a great monument to the dead of the world wars

On the day and for a few weeks before poppies are sold everywhere. Sellers lurk outside stores and in the streets while everybody clamours to get one of the red poppies on sale! Most public figures are expected to wear them and some tend to complain occasionally about “Poppy Fascism” and being forced to wear one.. However the general consensus is that it would be mean spirited not to wear one.

The main problem on the horizon is that young people tend to be less aware and so poppy wearing among the younger generation is not so common. In some ways the generation that fought in the second world war is dying off and their descendants are ageing fast. There is still however some commemoration of those killed in the wars of today such as in Afghanistan and Iraq. On the day convoys of bikers can be seen with all the remembrance insignia.

Services of remembrance are held throughout the land. The main message is the sacrifice of the generations and the memory of those who did not come back.

While most poppies are red some white poppies are also made. These tend to be used by pacifist groups. There is also a purple poppy worn by animal welfare organizations. This commemorates the animal victims of the war. These are usually worn alongside the red poppy. The event is fairly unique in that it is almost universally celebrated