From the BBC:
“Remembrance Sunday: King
leads nation as UK falls silent to honour war dead”
The UK fell silent on Remembrance
Sunday as the King led the nation in honouring servicemen and women who died in
past conflicts. A national two-minute silence was held at 11:00 GMT, with
similar ceremonies at war memorials across the country. Big Ben chimed 11 times
as the silence began, with war veterans watching on.
(Sunday's service featured a
march past by some 10,000 Royal British Legion veterans, representing 300
different armed forces and organisations between them)
King Charles then laid a wreath
at London's Cenotaph - the first time he has done so as monarch, following the
death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. Other royals, including the Prince of
Wales, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal also laid wreaths, along with
the prime minister and other senior politicians. Under grey skies earlier in
the morning, people had streamed into Westminster to take part in or to observe
the Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Far outnumbering those in military uniform
were the veterans; shoes gleaming, medals on their chests, a fair sprinkling of
berets, backs straighter than you normally see in these parts. The talk among
these veterans, a quiet rumble of reflection, jokes, regimental rivalry -
everywhere that unique bond of service to country and comrade. Much was the
same here today as in decades past; the music, the flags, the prayers, wreath
upon wreath of poppies blazing red against grey stone.
(The Prince of Wales also
attended and laid a wreath with other senior royals)
But one thing was different and
that difference was on the minds of many; the King led this ceremony, a ceremony
so close to the heart of the late Queen and one which she attended into her
nineties. And after the wreaths of politicians and the ambassadors and military
leaders had been laid alongside those of the Royal Family, the march past of
veterans began. The ring of wreaths encircling the base of the Cenotaph became
a blanket for the road beneath. And the crowds that lined Whitehall ten-deep in
places applauded as those who served were given due remembrance and respect.
(The Queen Consort and Princess
of Wales watched the ceremony from a balcony)
Chief of the Defence Staff
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the professional head of the armed forces, said
Remembrance Sunday held further poignancy following the death of the late
Queen. He said: "She represented duty and service, but also that dignity of
that wartime generation and all they sacrificed for our freedom. "And I
think there's the additional poignancy that once again we have war in
Europe." Falklands War veteran Simon Weston, who suffered severe burns
after his ship was bombed, told the BBC the public recognition that Remembrance
Sunday gave to fallen servicemen and women and their families was very
important. He said: "Because all these people need to know that the angst
and suffering that they went through when people went away is relevant and what
they did was worthwhile, because even if we don't conquer, what we do is stop
people from being able to perpetrate evil in the way that they were doing
it." Some of the youngest people taking part in the service included
Beaver Scouts from Wimbledon and Wandle Scout District who presented a wreath
to be laid at the Cenotaph. Erin, seven, told the BBC it was a huge honour to
be representing the Scout Association this year. "I was happy that I was
here," she said.
More than 100 Falklands War
veterans and family members of those who died in the war were also to take part
in a remembrance service and parade in the capital Stanley on Sunday. They made
the 8,000 mile (12,900km) journey via a special flight arranged by the Ministry
of Defence, with many of the veterans making an emotional return to the
Falklands for the first time since the war with Argentina broke out in 1982. Over
the past few days the veterans, along with mothers, wives and children of those
who died, have visited the battlefields where British forces fought, with some
shedding tears and placing crosses at cemeteries for fallen comrades and family
members. On Saturday, members of the Royal Family attended the annual Royal
British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. On Friday, the
UK held another silence on Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War
One in 1918.
(Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer
and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak laid wreaths)
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of
the end of World War Two, in 2025, the BBC is trying to gather as many
first-hand accounts from surviving veterans as possible, to preserve them for
future generations. Working with a number of partners, including the Normandy
Memorial Trust and the Royal British Legion, the BBC has already spoken to many
men and women who served during the War - you can watch their testimonies here.
^ Only the United Kingdom
celebrates Remembrance Sunday, but it is still nice to see them honor those who
served. ^
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