Thoughts From Remembrance Day 2013

Just as we finished Piping the Still this morning and after the salute from from Fort Blockhouse, we could hear the Last Post being sounded on a bugle in the distance. The contrast of the simple shrillness of the Bosun's Call with the the faint but tuneful bugle was striking and poignant.

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I am watching my HD recording of the Remembrance Parade from this morning. The various dress uniforms of  the various units look so vivid. Now, I'm obviously biased but there is something simply but supremely elegant and timeless in the way the Royal Navy platoons look in their simple black greatcoats, white caps, belts and gaiters.

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At RNSM today, I paused for a moment to think of a distinguished gentleman and father of an old friend who had been with us in the same place last year but is no longer with us.

No Need For Religion

Sunday 10th November 2013 will see the assembly of a small number of ex servicemen remembering their dead . In previous years, this has been an informal, brief but poignant act of remembrance held in the shadow of the complete list of those several thousand lost, many of which have no known grave.

This is now been formalised and is to have a vicar participating. Why such a simple and perfect ceremony needs the mumbo jumbo of religion inflicted upon it, I don't understand.

Harold Jellicoe Percival

Another ex-serviceman has died alone and without friends or family. The report of his death, and the notice of his funeral have gone viral across the UK and there is no doubt that his funeral will now be well attended by well wishers.

One can't help wondering that 'Coe' and the other lonely veterans who have died in similar circumstances would have been much more appreciative of  this company, and friendship when he was alive.