o/t sat here with tears streaming down my face

I was in a coffee shop in Bath yday and there was a guy in his 40's getting a coffee but he had a box of poppies under his arm and was wearing 3 medals. these 2 little kids wanted a poppy and the mum was asking where he got his medals (Norther Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq) and my brother served in N.Ireland & Bosnia, I really hit me that its not just about the older veterans from WW2. it was also great to see the childeren getting involved and understanding what it was about, their mum had obviously explained to them,.

It never fails to make me cry when I see the soldiers young & old marching so proud. My Uncle was in Burma in the 2nd WW and he has never spoken about it, he would go really quiet. I researched what happend there and it was horrendous & made me realise what they actually had to endure for us. I applaud every member of the services who risked and are still risking their lives for us.

I am such a softie and am sat here blubbing like a baby!

Sherrie you make me proud to be British!!

WSS

I agree, its not just about the world wars but those that are still out their fighting for us today! I always buy a poppy for the buggy too. Its just a shame there does seem to be as many people wearing them these days.

Not watching it but know what you mean. We had a parade of the local regiment returning home after a stint in Afghanistan and the lump in my throat was something else.....i felt very proud of them and their families.

I have always wanted to go to The Cenotaph in London to watch & support the Troops. I am determined to get there next year. I have been to the Bristol Parade before.

I saw 2 Chelsea Pensioners sat on a Bench on the Embankment in the Summer and they were chatting &laughing amongst themselves & I thought I wonder what awful memories & stories they have carried with them all of their lives.

I find it incredibly moving and always blub watching it. Thinking of what those poor men suffered and all the loved ones they lost.

I was so disgusted to read on my home from work on Thursday that the two minutes silence at the cenitaph in London had been interrupted by Muslim protestors screaming 'our soldiers are in paradise, your soldiers burn in hell'. Absolutely appalling, that those poor veterans were subjected to that and of course the younger troops. What outrages me is they are quite happy living in the country and enjoying all the comforts and freedom that war veterans like that made for them, so hypocritical. I really cannot understand how they can get away with it and how they were allowed to protest so close to the ceremony. ?

Not watching it, but only because I always end up an emotional wreck!

I do think a lot of people think its just about the older veterans, and dont stop to think of the younger troops at this time of year.

Very proud of them

I know what you mean - I get all choked up when I see all the old soliders wearing their medals and still marching in time as if they where still serving, often with walking sticks or with support from someone. I was in bits watching the "Festival for Remembrance" last night on the BBC - especially the work of the Physical Training Corps.

Both my granddad's were in the war - Mum's dad was only 18 and had never been away from home before when he was called up to the Navy to fight the Japanese. Dad's dad was already married and had a young son when he was called up - when he returned, his son didn't remember him.

Regardless of whether people agree with the Iraq and Afghan wars, we do need to support our servicemen & women.

Bless you - I've just said on FB I don't know what I insist on watchin it when it causes so much upset to me, but I think it's very important to remember those who have fallen and even those who are still fighting - BM and OHs uncle are both in Afghan at the moment and OH goes 6 weeks (ish) after we get married, so the parade today was worse than the silence as they focused on Afghan now and showed vidoes.

Teehee - I've not ever admitted this to anyone before but when OH was in Afghan I was on Youtube looking at video's of soldiers coming home and oh my god I just cried and cried for mornings on end!

There is something very emotional about watching a baby reunited with its daddy (or mommy) after months apart. And when OH came back there was even a baby meeting it's daddy for the first time.

ETA - I have the upmost respect for those older members who are still "serving" - not in their roles, but still wearing the medals and carrying the emotional scars! I then they are amazing! When OH went to Hondeghem earlier this year the only remaining WW1 veteran (I think, either at all, or from OHs regiment) came - an old man called Jack! My OH loved him, apparently despite being nearly 100 he was drinking at all hours with the lads and trying to drag the ladies on the tour bus. The lads all agreed, once a squaddie, always a squaddie! OH said he got to one grave, the grave of his commander and for 5 minites, he did nothing, just froze and paid his respects and he was even correcting the tour guide.! Made my heart melt that he could do that trip despite his age and everything else. He also presented the lads with medals and awards for their tour of Afghan, again, very emotional.

Tinkerbelle - what you said about what "we" civilians go through compared to what a soldier goes through, have you even seen this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bgkIwMiFeQ

Be warned its hugely emotinal (for me anyway but i'm a complete wimp!!)

My Uncle is still won't talk about it either. My other Uncle was a para in Palestine and 2 other Brothers were in the Navy. My Mum is the youngest of 13 only 5 of them are still alive now, 4 of the sons never even saw my Mum until she was 5yrs old.I remember when we were young & used to all be at my Grandparents for Christmas, the stories they used to tell had me mesmerised, I was so interested I started reading up on everything and then started tracing my family. How they got through the Wars I will never know, they had nothing but still all pulled together & made it through, real scars heal but emotional scars stay with them for life.

I didn't watch the parade, but i do have a few minutes to myself each year to think about what these people did for our country.

During the week every monday to friday, i work along side another driver and i work as an escort for a disabled girl. She's mentally very bright, but just has problems with her mobility. Anyway, she's around 13 to 14 years of age, and she asked mid week 'whats the big deal with Remembrance Day? whats the big deal?'....... me and my colleague just looked at each other and discussed it later. ....

How can someone of that age NOT know what it's all about? do they not teach them in school these days? or better still, do the parents not teach their children anything any more?

I just thought it was terrible. My son is 7, and i've told him all that i know of Remembrance Day. Sent him to school last week with his 50p bless him, and all week he's worn his little poppy. Not one day did i have to put that poppy on his shirt or jumper. He taped it on himself and wore it with pride...... he understands, and he is autistic. xx