The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - ARMISTICE-REMEMBERANCE

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month..

11 November marks the 99th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18).

Each year on this day Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11 am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

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This year has become more special for our family as we Remember Harry Fourro, my great grandfather whom we knew nothing about until 6 months ago.
He died as a result of wounds from action on the Western Front 100 years ago back on the 21st of October.
We had a meeting of cousins, families and extended family at the War Memorial to add a Poppy in the Wall of Remembrance for him.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!!

"In Flanders Fields" is written as a poem but, if read as punctuated, it tells a story.

It was written at Essex Fields British War Cemetery and, in 2014, I heard it recited there at the foot of the grave of a 15 year old rifleman which made it all the more moving.

I would thoroughly recommend a tour of the WW1 battlefields of the Western Front in France.

We must certainly never forget the sacrifices made by those who served.

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Originally Posted by Chesand

We must certainly never forget the sacrifices made by those who served.

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The ones of Yesterday's, Today's and Tomorrow's for those serving.
Kryn

I was in Bunnings this morning and trying to keep an eye out on the time to observe the the minute silence. To my pleasant surprise just before 11 am an announcement was made requesting the observance and again afterwards to thank the shoppers.

Often Bunnings get criticized but today they did the right thing, I hope other major retailers showed the same spirit.

Peter.

I'm 75 this year. Some of the things that I remember are:

November 11 was originally called Armistice Day. I think that Eisenhower changed to Veterans Day.

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) would be out selling poppies, they were paper and red. It was a very big deal to wear a poppy a day or two before to a day after November 11. Even as a kid in the very early grades, I was expected to wear a poppy. I haven't seen one of those paper poppies in years.

It seems that our involvement in the Vietnam war changed November 11 from a solemn day to a holiday. (A hippie thing, I think.) Some of the media is trying to bring the remembrance back into the date. I'm not sure of the media's real intent. It seems to be more individual recognition than anything else. And what about the individuals that aren't recognized?

My (Uncle) namesake waded ashore at Anzio (WWII) and returned. He was never really "right" afterward. There were times where he would tear up for no apparent reason. He would never talk about it. His lasting advice to me was, "If you are ever in the army, carry a carbine and not a Thompson." (It is a weight thing.) My whole family would stay away from my Uncle on November 11. As I got older I was told that it was his request. My Aunt told me that he would sit in a darkened room and just cry for most of the day. I suspect that many of us would do the same thing after having lived through the same experiences.

I was coming through security at Adelaide airport @10.55. They started handing out poppies and explaining the reason both personally and over PA system. At 11.11am everything in airport stopped

Very very impressed. Would be interested if it was management or staff that came up with it.. Appreciated

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Originally Posted by Tonto

I was coming through security at Adelaide airport @10.55. They started handing out poppies and explaining the reason both personally and over PA system. At 11.11am everything in airport stopped.

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WOW!

It is obvious that your countrymen really care about the real meaning of Armistice Day.

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Originally Posted by rrich

WOW!

It is obvious that your countrymen really care about the real meaning of Armistice Day.

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There were services everywhere. In our locality (Pop. approx 20,000+) there was a service with over 500 present and wreaths laid by various groups including schools and service clubs with cadets doing flag raising etc.