Today's date is 11.11.11.
Armistice Day
which marks the anniversary of the ending of hostilities of World War I, at 11.00 am in 1918.
It is a French public holiday and schools, banks, post offices and businesses are closed.
 |
| Poppies flowering this week in my Normandy garden |
To mark the occasion, in our small village, flowers will be laid at the base of the Calvaire which stands at the crossroads opposite the Marie's office.
A two minute silence will be observed at 11.00 a.m.
This fitting tribute below can be found in the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux.
 |
| Click here to see a recent post about the Cathedral |
Local dignitaries, ex service men and women from all of the services, members of the Royal British Legion and Boy Scout and Girl Guide troops, will lay poppy wreaths of remembrance at their local War Memorial.
The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is a unique expression of national homage devoted to the remembrance of those who have given their lives in war. It was originally conceived as a commemoration of the war dead of the First World War but after the Second World War the scope of the ceremony was extended to focus on the nation's dead of both World Wars, and in 1980 it was widened once again to extend the remembrance to all who have suffered and died in conflict in the service of their country and all those who mourn them.
The service at the Cenotaph is framed to ensure that no-one is forgotten. The wreath laid by The Queen and the other tributes placed on the Cenotaph are dedicated to all who have suffered or died in war. Members of the Cabinet, Opposition Party leaders, former Prime Ministers and certain other Ministers and the Mayor of London are invited to attend the ceremony, along with representatives of the Armed Forces, Merchant Air and Navy and Fishing Fleets, and members of faith communities. High Commissioners from Commonwealth countries also attend the ceremony and lay wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Source: The Royal British Legion
In June of this year I was lucky enough to spend an evening in the company of two World War II veterans, at an event to mark the 67th Anniversary of the D Day landings.
Click here if you would like to see that post again.
Their Calendar of Special Events and Celebrations is extensive with categories covering Daily Life, Customs and Traditions and Etiquette in the UK, to name but a few.
It is a wonderful source for everyone, not only children, and describes what Remembrance Sunday means to us all.
Wear your Poppy with pride!
(poppy images courtesy of telegraph.co.uk)
