dizeeblonde
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 4714
Loc: Theatre of Dreams
|
|
What is the most appropriate way to show our respect to fallen soldiers returning home?
Usually in places like Wooton Bassett it is silence.
Clapping has been met with raised eyebrows. as some feel silent tribute is more appropriate.
Yesterday Christina Schmid stood with others to watch her husband Olaf's coffin make the journey through the Wiltshire village.
He was killed on the final day of his tour of duty while trying to defuse a roadside bomb. He had successfully defused 64 other devices during his five months at war.
Christina felt the most fitting tribute to her lost husband was to stand proudly and applaud his bravery. Do you disagree?
personally I feel either is equally respectful and appropriate.
--------------------
-------------------------------------------
|
PLASMO
member
Reged: 13/03/2008
Posts: 13223
Loc: FLOUNCELAND
|
|
Hi Dizzie,
What a thoughtful post.
My heart feels so full, about the continuing deaths of these young men, I find it really difficult to write about it at all.
Whether you applause, or are silent, or feel too emotional to do anything at all, the most important thing is that so many people have been there to welcome the soldiers back to this country.
After all that is the most important thing.
Plasmo x
--------------------
|
Rozie
member
Reged: 25/04/2009
Posts: 1563
|
|
I also think it is a very emotive subject and feel really choked when I see wives/partners mothers fathers children welcoming their loved ones back home it is something we can mostly only imagine therefore I think what ever makes the individual feel better then it is up to them, they are the ones who have shared the sacrifice their loved ones have made.
--------------------
|
freesia
member
Reged: 01/01/2009
Posts: 1635
|
|
I agree applause or silence what ever is apprpriate for the familys, I do think how brave Christina Schmid is.
Also it's nice to see a good turn out of people to welcome
the hero's home, so very sad.
--------------------
|
CAZ50
member
Reged: 10/07/2008
Posts: 1575
Loc: Up the creek without a paddle
|
|
I agree with either applause or silence. They deserve the applause for their outstanding bravery and the silence for us to remember those they have left behind them. I'm afraid I think it is an unwinable war, and that there will be many more lives lost. I think we should bring them home.
--------------------
I don't suffer from insanity I enjoy every minute of it!!
|
dizeeblonde
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 4714
Loc: Theatre of Dreams
|
|
Plasmo and Rozie I have been thinking of this a lot lately. I know two people that have been out there. One is a friend of my brother, and he a leader that has to accompany the fallen in their coffins ( he has done this more than once) to the plane. he was home for a while and the things he had witnesses are so upsetting. he told of being attacked by the Taliban whilst they were " resting" they had to jump up and grab their guns and fight naked. he did show my brother lots of pictures on his phone ( have no idea how they were taken), but just couldn't bring himself to show them to everyone else. That is only the tip of the iceberg, but nuff said............. I have the utmost absolute respect for these men and women putting their lives on the line.
--------------------
-------------------------------------------
|
tulip2
member
Reged: 11/07/2009
Posts: 131
Loc: leicestershire
|
|
I feel quite close to this subject as OH has done this job for 43 yrs. No one can prepare those back home for the emotions of the result of the jobs our OHs decide to do.. its a tough call. However, its the future that loved ones will need emotional and practical support to get through and rebuild there lives once the media emotions have died down.. and I personally feel that politics have a lot to answer for the reasons why we expect others to fight for our security... but I won't dwell on it. My condolences go to all those affected by the current situation and trust that they will pull through.
|
rosacarol
member
Reged: 16/10/2009
Posts: 406
Loc: Reading
|
|
I don't think it matters how these young men are honoured - as long as they are. They have made the ultimate sacrifice and my heart goes out to their families.
With so many recent deaths I think the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph this year will be a very poignant occasion. I wonder how our esteemed leader will be feeling as he lays his wreath.....responsible? Sadly, I fear not.
--------------------
|
chattycathy
member
Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 7889
Loc: Beside the seaside
|
|
Dizee I have done both...like Plasmo & I'm sure many others my heart feels so full at so much loss...I have applauded (slowly clapped my hands then found my hands cupping my face in disbelief & sadness) I have also sat in silence with tears streaming wondering how many more very brave men & women are going to lose their lives,how many more are going to be severly wounded physicaly & mentaly,how many more families suffering the loss of the very brave...
I remember quite recently a mum who lost her son (a soldier) speaking on GMTV saying we need to get behind them & show our support as they need us to keep their moral up just like people did in the ''old days'' she also had a daughter in the Army who if I'm correct had been called up & her daughter even after losing her brother wanted her mum to send her off knowing she had a job to do..no doubt her already ''important'' job became more ''important'' after the loss of her brother...
I feel its very important to support those who choose to serve in our armed forces as its the least we can do...
Cathy xx
--------------------
Christmas Lunch/Dinner in The Crown Bar Belfast Saturday 5th December!!!
Dont hesitate to contact me if you wish to come along & join in the fun! 
|
Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 8034
|
|
Either - silence or applause.
I agree with the forumer who said it is the future which is important too. All those families bereaved, all those young men and women physically and/or mentally injured for life. They must not be forgotten either.
--------------------
I've learnt that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou.
|
aec13cat
member
Reged: 08/01/2009
Posts: 3143
Loc: N. Ireland
|
|
Hi Dizzie. I think either is okay and when I watched Christina the other day I could totally understand why she did it and felt it was so brave of her. To be composed and brave like that takes a lot but she was just so glad she said to have him home. There are so many now coming home like that - it is just desperately sad.
--------------------
|
spikeyrehab
member
Reged: 02/08/2009
Posts: 80
Loc: Tameside
|
|
Good Morning,
There isnt really any more I can add to the posts but still needed to write my bit for the post.
Silence is MY way of respect but I do understand the applause of others. My heart goes out to all the families and friends of soldiers who are returning this way!.
|
PatsyW
member
Reged: 28/12/2007
Posts: 2307
|
|
Both have a place.
I think the silence on Remembrance day is so moving and it has become more so over recent years. Standing on the A6 in my home town, and seeing that busy road brought to a standstill is such a moving tribute to those who have died for this country.
I remember as a child at 11am on 11th November everybody would stop, if driving they would pull over to the side of the road (obviously the roads were a lot quieter when I was a child).
I have noticed a big inrease in the number of people attending the ceremony at the war memorial, people are really getting behind our soldiers, whatever the rights and wrongs of the politics.
The sound of applause from a group of people all experiencing the same feeling of respect and thanks is equally moving. Particularly when they are seeing one of the soliders brought home. I think I would feel compelled to clap him home.
--------------------
Well behaved women seldom make history.
|
kafferlilly
member
Reged: 26/04/2007
Posts: 732
Loc: NORTH WEST
|
|
What can one say.....how to put in words the total devastation of seeing your loved one brought home that way.....not walking proudly with his/her comrades....but with a flag draped over their coffin....
ALL the serving soldiers are truly heroes.....they have voluntary offered their lives to serve their country..and I think we should be supporting them regardless of the rights or wrongs of it now.....
It must be so discouraging to feel that people back home are not supporting you...I am immensely proud of our soldiers and the way in which they carry out their duty....
I do agree with the sentiments of Patsy...
--------------------
Kaff..x
|
Sella_Vee
member
Reged: 03/04/2008
Posts: 1513
|
|
I think both have their place, and I think applause is appropriate when the soldiers are being driven through town. We'll be having a minute's silence in Church tomorrow where some of the older people will also be remembering those lost in previous wars. The silence allows people to think, and the applause allows people to recognise the sacrifice that's been made, and I think it must be uplifting for the families.
|
Brown_eyed_girl
member
Reged: 09/08/2009
Posts: 244
|
|
I went to a football match yesterday where there was one minutes silence and to be honest it was deeply moving as it was 100% observed by young and old alike. To me this seems more fitting at large occasions as it really focuses people on the sacrifice of others. When the whistle blew at the end, there was an obvious gap between the silence and cheering for the teams as if people felt reluctant to focus on something else after remembering the sacrifice of others.
However for relatives and friends, they knew there loved ones best and they know how they should remembered. That is personal to them and should remain their choice.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
