For the first time in my life, there will be no large Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph in Westminster. In fact, due to the various COVID-19 restrictions in place across the UK, the ceremonies traditionally associated with this day will be muted.
In some ways, this seems to be appropriate considering the situation we currently find ourselves in. We are at war with this virus, and the country needs to be on a war footing if we are going to win. Being in lockdown or living under restrictions is irksome ... and getting more so the longer it goes on. However, the alternative is worse. The prospect of the NHS being overwhelmed - and the death rate rising - is unacceptable ... so we have to learn to live with the restrictions just like our forbears had to live with far greater restrictions in order to win their wars.
I’m hoping that besides remembering the dead of the two World Wars and the other conflicts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, today we will be able to remember those who are in the frontline in the current war against COVID-19, some of whom have paid the ultimate price. I‘m not just including the people working in the NHS, but also those who are supplying food and essential services, everyone working to care for the elderly and vulnerable, the members of the emergency, transport, and armed services, the scientists striving to find a cure or treatment for the virus, the country’s educators, and those who are providing these people with support. If I’ve missed anyone else who is working to help defeat the virus and its effects, it is an error of omission rather than commission, for which I apologise.
I hope that next year we will see a return to a traditional Remembrance Day parade, and that our leaders decide to include representatives of those who have helped to defeat COVID-19 within the ranks of the people who take part in the march past.
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It was strange to see a much reduced service at the Cenotaph, but nice that it was still able to go ahead. I too thought of those on the Covid frontline during the 2 minutes silence Bob, as it seemed apt given what we are all going through.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteDespite the much reduced number of attendees, I still felt that it was a solemn and moving ceremony, and I’m very pleased that it took place.
I’m also pleased that during last night’s pre-recorded event at the Royal Albert Hall, mention was made of the military medical services - and other members of the armed services - who have played their part combatting COVID-19.
All the best,
Bob
I watched most of the ceremonial events on TV. Yes, the numbers were sparse considering previous years but no less moving.
ReplyDeleteI did a bit of 'spot the Scottish poppy'. Most were worn by the 'usual culprits' but did I spot the Chancellor of the Exchequer wearing a Scottish poppy?
Jim Duncan (Jim),
DeleteI totally agree. The fact that there were fewer people did nothing to diminish the solemnity and impact of the ceremonies that have taken place.
I must admit that I did not spot any Scottish poppies, but I’m sure that there must have been some there.
All the best,
Bob
Thanks and well said, Bob!
ReplyDeleteDavid in Suffolk,
DeleteCheers! I felt that it needed saying.
All the best,
Bob
Amen to that, well said Bob.
ReplyDeleteBrian Carrick,
DeleteI only hope that in a year’s time, the pandemic will be over ... and we will not have forgotten everything that the frontline and key workers have done.
All the best,
Bob
Amen
ReplyDeleteGeordie an Exiled FoG,
DeleteAmen to that!
All the best,
Bob
Hadn't thought about those on the Covid frontline in this context before, but I agree 100%. All those people keeping the country running, not just in the NHS. Shopworkers, delivery drivers, bus drivers etc.
ReplyDeleteNundanket,
DeleteQuite rightly, when most people think of COVID-19, they think of the tremendous efforts the NHS workers ... but there are loads of people who have been working tirelessly in other important roles during the pandemic and whose efforts are far less well-known. For example, I know of one retired soldier who had already been recalled to full time service, and who has been working on secondment to the Department of Health to help set up the testing programme in Liverpool.
All the best,
Bob
Its also a good time to remember all those who came through the "Great War " only to be taken by the 'Spanish' flu epidemic.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteVery true! A lot of people don’t seem to realise that an estimated 16 million people died during the war, but an estimated 50 million people died in the flu pandemic, including many soldiers who had survived four years of fighting, only to die before they could return to civilian life.
All the best,
Bob