Remembrance Day upset (From Bury Times)
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Remembrance Day upset
9:04am Thursday 1st December 2011 in Letters
IT seems that readers’ criticism of the Remembrance service in Bury has been concerned with the attendance of Nick Griffin.
I wonder if they, as I did, actually attend themselves? If they had troubled themselves to do so they would have found a lot more than this to raise concern.
1. On the procession from the town hall, it was noticeable how certain “dignitaries” at the head of column were indulging in animated conversation, their behaviour totally unbefitting the solemnity of the occasion.
2. Certain individuals in said column shuffled along with their hands in their pockets.
3. At the war memorial, a young boy had climbed up at the back and then draped himself over the front and centre of the memorial.
It was seemingly beyond the wit of any of the numerous officials present to have him removed, but there he stayed throughout the official silence.
4. During the silence iitself, the whole purpose was then lost as the sound of mobile telephones going off rendered the air.
I will not be attending again. It is too painful to witness how bad manners, scant regard and a total lack of respect now hold sway!
Shamed Poppy Day
Comments(2)
fusilier
says...
8:33pm Mon 5 Dec 11
i didnt see the young boy on the cenotaph even though i was directly in front of it. i saw members of the public respectfully standing behind it on church grounds observing the silence. This surely cant be compared with protesters chanting and burning poppies and flags that some other towns have experienced.
What struck me the most was as the parade turned into the market place and we saw the people waiting. there were no cheers as in other military parades but the noise level was terrific anyway with people applauding as we marched past but not a single shout or cheer.
I personally dont care for Nick Griffins politics but he IS an elected MEP and his presence is to be expected. I actually didnt notice him on the day and i think you will find most of the people on the day didnt notice or care either.
The day wasnt about how others may have bothered you by their presence but why you were there in the first place? I feel honoured and privileged to be able to stand there and remember the many who cant. If you were offended by such minor irrelevancies as you listed that you wont attend a service again then you need to take a long hard look at yourself and ask yourself why you went in the first place.
eyeswideopenBURY says...
10:37pm Thu 1 Dec 11
He would also never be seen burning poppies, union flags or jeering and spitting at our homecoming troops unlike some members of our society !