Act of Remembrance / Two Minutes Silence

Please feel free to point me at a thread if this has been discussed already, but the search facility is returning an error....

What happens at airports and on aircraft in the UK during the two minutes silence associated particularly with 11th November ?

Thx

Paul

edited the Topic title to correct spelling error

[HighFlyer]

LHR usually observes it, though obviously not all the passengers take part. I've seen check-in come to an (almost) standstill with heads bowed for two minutes. Never been onboard at that time though.

Thanks,
Sarah

[ChuckC]

Obvously a very serious day; it's remembered in the US as well, but known as Veterans Day, in honor of all those who have served.

Chuck-

[mitchja]

I was in LHR T1 domestic departures a few years ago and the entire departure area did indeed come to a complete standstill with everybody who wasn't already, standing up for 2 mins.

Regards

[ChuckC]

That is very impressive indeed, James, something we Americans could and should aspire to equal.

Chuck-

Originally posted by ChuckC
Obvously a very serious day; it's remembered in the US as well, but known as Veterans Day, in honor of all those who have served.

Chuck-

Chuck

Apologies if I implied we Brits are the only nation that observes events like these. That's obviously not the case.

Pau;

[ChuckC]

Not at all, Paul. You didn't imply that. What I was trying to say was that we Americans don't always have a lot of depth when it comes to remembering those who sacrified for us.

Chuck-

Originally posted by ChuckC
Not at all, Paul. You didn't imply that. What I was trying to say was that we Americans don't always have a lot of depth when it comes to remembering those who sacrified for us.

Chuck-

Chuck - I'm going way OT - sorry - but I have a view on this (as a British serviceman), and I think the general feeling among my colleagues is quite the opposite: When it comes to depth, your nation leaves us struggling in your wake given (among other things) US education and medical programmes for veterans. The general goodwill accorded to the armed forces by the public in America, notwithstanding a conflict that can certainly be described as controversial, is also quite stark to those of us who travel in your country.

At a time when we are losing servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan - four more today - we genuinely appreciate the support that we see from the British public for the commemorative events marking Armistice Day. The people we are losing now are our friends and colleagues, and we feel an affinity with those who went before us, as well. But after the best part of thirty year's uniformed service, there remains for me an element of truth in Kipling's poem, Tommy.

Armistice Day is extremely poignant for most servicemen and, I'm pleased to say, for many others, as well. And I like the rather understated (typically British?) approach we take to it. But that is not the end of the story and, leaving the politics of sending troops to war to one side, your nation is pretty good at its side of the Covenant it enters with those who serve it. I think of the other 364 days in the year and reflect that Armed Forces are for life, not just for Armistice Day.

Best wishes

David

[ChuckC]

David,
What a fine essay you've written. I hope many will read it. Thank you so much and I don't really think you were OT at all.

Best regards,
Chuck-

From my small experience in the US, I have to agree with DavidM. I was really surprised to see that many of the veterans working in the factory I was managing had 'vereran number plates'. At first I must admit I thought, being typically British, that it was somewhat naff and seemed to indicate that they were reliving past glories. However I then discovered that vets get many concessions at stores and public attractions, that there are a number of other perks, and most importantly that they gain the genuine respect of the population at large. I remain a little sceptical of the number plates I suppose, but had my eye's opened by the public attitude.

In the UK, we do a really good job of remembering the dead of the two world wars. We all feel strong emotions about those killed in the carnage and Armageddon (to borrow a phrase from Kipling) that was the Great war. And we find it natural to celebrate the heroism of the Battle of Britain pilots or the sailors burnt in the Falklands. I am not so sure that we accord the same respect to people killed in the skirmishing wars that are more of our time particularly when our will politic is not so strongly supportive of the actions; to our shame. To me this is the strongest contrast with the attitude across the water.

In my opinion, america is generally more patriotic and supports its armed forces far more than we do. It's likely that our opinion of the forces is based on politics rather than anything else.[:?]

VS.