I was slightly confused as to why there masses and masses of people crowded in and around the grounds of Westminster Abbey and the surrounding areas. There were barriers set up and police in place to keep control of the crowd. Peculiarly enough the crowd was very quiet and subdued and the police had little to do apart from giving directions to lost tourists. I could not help but feel annoyed that whatever was happening was causing me to be late for work. The bus I happened to be sitting on stopped due to traffic at a red light right outside Westminster Abbey so I was fortunate enough to have a fantastic view as to what was going on. I was so busy trying to do my day to day things that I had completely forgotten that it was indeed Remembrance Day. I could not help but feel guilty about my earlier annoyance.
I felt awful that I had forgotten the importance of Rememberence Day and was not valuing it as I should. It really is important to be aware that many countries have a special day to remember those that died or got injured in their wars; America has Veterans Day, while France has Armistice Day, Bangladesh has Independence on the 26th March to commemorate the declaration of independence and the start of Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. These are just a few examples of special days in different countries but as individuals regardless of where we live it is important that we show respect for each others beliefs and honour those that died fighting in wars.
The British Remembrance Day is always held on the 11 November as this the day that World War One ended in 1918 and when the armistice was signed in Compiègne, Northern France, and to commemorate this there is a two minute silence in the UK at 11am on 11 November.
I was curious to know where this two minutes silence had originated from and was surprised to find that it was proposed by Melbourne journalist, Edward George Honey, in a letter published in the London Evening News on 8 May 1919, which then came to the attention of King George V. On 7 November, 1919, the king issued a proclamation which called for a two-minute silence: “All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.”
As well as the two-minute silence, there are marches around the country by war veterans. The Royal Family, along with leading politicians, gather at the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall. The two minutes silence will also take place on the nearest Sunday to Rememberence Day as it is known as Rememberence Sunday. When 11 November falls on a weekday, schools, workplaces and so forth attempt to observe this silence and encourage their students, staff and customers to observe the silence as a sign of respect. Some people choose to ignore this and go about their business. It is pure selfishness and ignorance that some people cannot show respect even for two minutes. It makes me angry that some people have no decency or consideration for others. Showing respect does not cost anything and does not cause anyone to lose face yet its difficult to comprehend why some people behave so ignorantly and arrogantly.
Remembrance Day is an opportunity to remember the deaths and lives of those that fought and continue to fight. Such is the importance and significance of Rememberence Day that any disrespect is and should be avoided and is one of the key reasons why the vandalisation of the Cenotaph on 1 May 2000 was seen as such a horrific crime. I can’t even begin to understand why someone would vandalise a memorial, it’s a terrible thing to do, an insult to the dead and the living. I believe that anyone vandalising should be punished especially anyone vandalising memorials, graves and so forth. We as a society should not be allowing and condoning that kind of behaviour. We have a responsibility to ensure that people behaving so despicably do not get away with it.
I felt terrible that I was in my own little world when the driver had announced that we would be at a standstill for the next few minutes so as to observe and join the two minutes silence. As the time turned to 11am an almost magical thing happened. For once the roads around me were totally calm and silent; the people around me were showing their respect by keeping quiet for two minutes. The silence was unbelievable. Although to others this may seem trivial to me it was a significant moment. This was the first time since secondary school that I had taken part in the two minutes silence but it was the first time that I had been out in the streets, it was great, specially to be outside Westminster Abbey and experience it first hand. I felt privileged and could not help but think of those that fought during the war and the horrors that they must have faced. The problem nowadays is that as individuals we are so wrapped up in our everyday issues and problems we sometimes do not remember the things previous generations have done to ensure that future generations such as ourselves can live.
I wish I had paid more attention during my history lessons and had actually learnt something so that I could show both my appreciation and respect to those that fought and fight in wars. I can’t imagine fighting in a war, being away from my family and a possibility that I may never see my loved ones again. Becoming a serviceman is not an easy choice. We should realise how fortunate we are that it is not compulsory to have to join the armed forces as it is in some other countries. The time has come for us all to appreciate what we have and to think of those that are less fortunate. It is important for us all to remember the ‘glorious dead’
Article by Monju Haque