Remembrance Parade

[Suffolk_fox]

For the first time ever, I went to the Remembrance Parade in Whitehall yesterday. I have been to parades plenty of times in the past, but nothing touched me as deeply as the emotions I experienced yesterday.

It was quite by accident, we just had it dropped on us that we were staying in a Whitehall appartment on Saturday evening and I said that while we were there, we should go to the service next day.

From the moment Big Ben chimed and the cannon fired to mark the beginning of the silence, there was a knot in my throat the size of a large egg. I couldn't talk, I couldn't breathe properly. The raw emotion I felt as the whole capital stood still and remembered those who had died for us was quite unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life. I am not ashamed to admit that tears ran freely down my cheeks throughout the silence, the singing and the Lord's Prayer, which I managed to kind of whisper.

If anyone has any doubt as to how the people of this country can stand together and show pride and appreciation, how London isn't really the emotion-bereft face on the tube, and how even relative youngsters like me who have never fought in a war can share in a nations grief then try going next year.

[James.]

Well said.

I was a getting a touch emotional just watching on TV. Endless respect for all those chaps out on the streets yesterday and for those they were remembering.

Did you see Harry Patch? 110 years old. Apparently the last suriving British veteran of World War I. Amazing.

[Suffolk_fox]

Did you see Harry Patch? 110 years old. Apparently the last suriving British veteran of World War I. Amazing.

Quite incredible!

[Zingari]

age shall not weary them nor the years condemn them....

thank you all, we owe so much

btw i think the oldest ww1 veteran is henry allingham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Allingham

[James.]

age shall not weary them nor the years condemn them....

thank you all, we owe so much

btw i think the oldest ww1 veteran is henry allingham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Allingham

Yeah I think Harry is the last one alive to have actually fought in the trenches...

[Zingari]

Yeah I think Harry is the last one alive to have actually fought in the trenches...

yes i think that's right ;

what an astounding thought that there is someone still around from that time ;

my grandfather fought and was wounded at the somme, and he died in the 1950s

[Webbo]

We always go to the remembrance day parade in Syston, especially since our girls parade with the guides.

The bit that always chokes me is the Kohima epitaph.

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,

For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

Always brings a lump in the throat.

[Suffolk_fox]

We always go to the remembrance day parade in Syston, especially since our girls parade with the guides.

Great that the young 'uns of today are reminded.

Seeing programmes this week of the conditions and the sheer volume of death on both sides really brought home the horror of war. Kind of makes my everyday whinges seems very insignificant.

[Darkzzz_]

Yeah I was having one of them days where I just moaned about my job, etc.

Then I watched the parade in the BBC and realised how insignificant my problems are compared to what these brave brave men done for our Country.

[Simi]

We had a two minute silence in our common room today at college.

Was very powerful and perfectly observed.

[purpleronnie]

I always watch this with my Dad this year was the only time I hadn't.

I am as anti war as anyone but you cant help but feel proud to be british on days likes these.

[Tevez]

Seen a Harry Patch video the other day, very emotional.

[JakeShingler]

I was involved in one about 2 years ago marchung with the war veterans was a pleasure.