Have Most Of Us Forgotten To Remember?

Published on: 10 Nov, 2014
Updated on: 10 Nov, 2014

Poppy wreaths at Guildford War memorial in the Castle Grounds.

By Martin Giles

Most of us in Guildford did not do anything to mark Remembrance Sunday yesterday (November 9).

Despite increased attendance at all the ceremonies held throughout the borough, perhaps encouraged by the First World War centenary and the fine weather, most of us carried on as if it was any other Sunday.

Attendance was much higher this year perhaps double that in previous years, but still a very small percentage of the town’s 60,000 population.

Of course, many bought poppies (I wonder how many?) and some may have pondered the sacrifice made by others as they watched TV news coverage but only a small minority felt moved enough to go to one of the services.

There are many possible reasons. Some may be put off by the religious nature of the services, others question the whole ethic behind such commemoration. But surely the biggest reason is apathy.

Flags and banners lowered in salute as the Last Post is sounded.

Flags and banners lowered in salute as Last Post is sounded.

We take for granted our liberty and the associated affluence. We think that they are somehow a right, that they come free. Of course they don’t. There is a high cost, not just the financial cost, it is the cost of human sacrifice, pain and suffering, physical and mental and the millions of lives unfulfilled, unlived.

Some think that all remembrance activity is jingoistic. A few have even said that the Tower of London moat filled with poppies is a “UKIP-like commemoration”. Well shame on them if they cannot understand that, regardless of politics, regardless even of patriotism, many do truly feel a debt of gratitude, a debt worthy of a few minutes reflection each year to those who have been killed or who have suffered protecting liberty.

A member of the Air Training Corps lays a wreath.

Sadly, there are still threats to our freedom and well-being in the world. Even a superficial glance at the media will reveal the damage being done by those prepared to resort to violence, not to defend themselves or others but to impose their will. It seems this will always be the case.

But as we acknowledge that the world remains a far from perfect place surely it is right that we do also remember those who gave their lives so that we can lead our, relatively comfortable, lives freely.

On Tuesday at 11 o’clock you will have another chance to do so. Wouldn’t it be good if we all stopped whatever we were doing, for just two minutes, to show our thanks, to show that we really will remember them?