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| Taken from the internet - copyright details unknown, but thank you for allowing me to share the image. |
Last Sunday, Camo and I were in the shop, drinking coffee and chatting when a, medal clad, Gurkha walked in and, incredibly politely, asked if he could swap a tenner for some change for the parking meter? It turned out that he, and a friend (who had even more medals) were assisting the cause by selling poppies in Ramsgate High Street. Both of us chucked a few bob in the collecting tin and Camo asked if they would pose for a photo; which they happily did - as you can see.
With my family's military links, and understanding the role that many other nations military service personnel have played in securing our freedoms, I find it unbelievable that our political leaders can't set aside their differences and concentrate on securing the best deal for the UK in our Brexit negotiations. If so many have been prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, surely these, self-serving, political muppets, could see their way clear to deliver on the wishes of the people and get on with making Britain great again? A land fit for heroes wouldn't be a bad thing for a start. At Eleven o'clock this morning, the nation spent two minutes in silent contemplation. Symbolic gesture or a realistic period of reflecting on the efforts of those who are now no longer with us because they thought our way of life worthy of fighting for. If they had known how elitist, unfair and utterly shambolic our political system would become, I wonder if they would have been so keen to defend it?
Pure irony!
ReplyDeleteI'll take that as a compliment?
DeleteNot really! Most soldiers in WWI didn't have a clue what they were fighting for, It was the "elitist, unfair and utterly shambolic political system" driven by petty nationalism in the name of patriotism that sent them there. Plus ca change, plus c'est la même chose!
ReplyDeleteI can't fall out with someone I don't even know. All I am able to offer is that my family upbringing, and contact with elderly relatives who actually experienced the horrors of both wars, have led me to believe that those who died, did so in the belief that they were defending a way of life. Good, honest, hard working folk, to whom I am totally grateful and deserve my respect. I'm not too sure I'd be as brave?
DeleteTo witness the total meltdown of our politicians, when faced with a relatively simple task of delivering on a referendum vote, which they implemented, is bewildering. As to your stance on "petty" nationalism/patriotism - I'd like to see how this type of rhetoric would go down in any working community? On my blog, however, you're welcome to an opinion and thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
Hello mate, Such a special time of the year; the Cenotaph ceremony never fails to put some water in my eyes. I really loved watching the Royals lay the wreathes down. Great to see Charlie leading it. But I didn't like to see our political leaders doing the same. First time I've felt that way... I just feel so bloody apathetic towards them. I'm with you- Where is the backbone? Best Regards, Gazza- PS- Two pike sessions so far on Black Dyke.. 2-0 to the pike!
ReplyDeleteHi Gazza,
DeleteI think I've said all I need about how strongly I feel about the debt, of gratitude, owed our fallen. Our politicians are rapidly becoming an embarrassing circus of deluded buffoons. Quite how we are to take the next General Election seriously is beyond me. There is not one personality, within the entire system, who I would trust as far as I could spit!
Anyway, enough of that crap. About your piking? I too, have failed to register a bite in two sessions on the drain where we first met! This is a very unusual state of affairs, as it has always been a runs water. However, Black Dyke has been a little kinder, I've had bites, if not landed fish, on all occasions I've cast a bait for pike. That, very first, fish of 8 lbs 14 oz remains my heaviest, but I am still drawn by that tale of a leviathan dwelling within the mysterious depths out there on the flatlands. As I've already hinted, the perch search could last me all winter, given this latest distraction. Hoping everything else is good with you? - Dyl
An emotive subject Dyl. I'm proud to have this thumb nail picture of my paternal grandfather to hand. He was on a horse on the battlefields when a shell burst under it. Rendered him deaf with the rivets from the saddle blasted into his rear end. Operated on without anesthetic.
ReplyDeleteMy own dad saw active service in Burma and was... He was in the RAF and after one successful sortie was sent the next day. Seemed he'd done enough.
To think that these days there's people who consider a tweet or an entry on facebook as the worst thing ever.
Thanks for this Ric. I wasn't too sure how to take the first comment offered on this particular post, so replied in similar fashion - irony. The follow up had me a little bemused, if I'm honest. As you say it's a very emotive subject and I have to respect that others will view things differently. My Great Aunt Emma lost her first husband during the Great War, plus other family members, later marrying my Great Uncle Joe on his return from this bloody conflict. Neither had anything glorious to say about that savage period in our history. My grandfather, on my mother's side, lost both his legs in WW2, uncles, cousins and neighbours lost even more. Again, none of those who experienced the devastation of the Blitz, being based in/around South London, would say anything to commend their time enduring this terror. Not a bit of it - as young kids, my brothers, cousins and I, were made well aware of how unpleasant (horrifying) war is and, all involved, genuinely hoped that we would never live to see another one.
DeleteTo have some faceless comment about "petty nationalism" etc, etc... Bev stopped me posting what I really felt, which probably ain't such a bad thing? After all, wasn't their sacrifice about maintaining our freedoms? If being an objectionable C**T is how you choose to express your gratitude, then their efforts weren't in vain; as you still have that option available?
I watched Prime Ministers Questions at mid-day, on Sky TV. Is that really the best we can do? It was a shameful display of ineptitude and egotism. A no stage did "the people's wishes" take president over party politics and point scoring - absolutely pathetic, the lot of them!
And on that cheerful note I bid thee good day - Dyl