October 11th- Armistice Day. I know some people like to be political about this and say we shouldn't glorify war. But what we are doing is not glorifying it, but remembering sacrifices those who have died for their country have made and those who have suffered in war and reminding ourselves that war is and how we must avoid it. Even today, it seems we can never be away from war. But continuing to share that message that we must never forget, yet forgive, reminds us of our duty to pass on a message of peace.
By giving a WW1 concert at school, I was choosing not to glorify war, but rather, taking the opportunity to remember those people- men, women and indeed, animals, who gave their lives and continue to do so, in conflicts throughout the whole world in what can be the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
The phrase, "Lest we forget" is pertinent to every generation. I believe every generation should use Armistice Day to fulfill our responsibility to pass on the message of peace to the next generation. By singing the songs the soldiers sang, we learn to much. We learn of the courage shown despite the greatest fear; we learn that creativity and inspiration can come from the very depths of despair; we learn ways ourselves of how to boost morale when it seems impossible to smile; We learn how to keep on trying despite the odds; we learn the power of survival in holding dear, an image of our family in our hearts; we learn to think of others. Singing produces a courage and a way to forget our current situations: Like the football match we learn of that happened during Christmas during the Winter of 1914, we learn that language and enmity can be overlooked in sharing of a common, familiar carol; sharing a Christmas tradition. So much devastation came from the war but we, who live in the legacy of freedom, can enjoy the beauty of the poetry and songs that were written at the time.
Maybe you think that we have been saturated by WW1 overkill (pardon the phrase)- but I see much good and a raising of awareness.
Here are some things I have done or seen inspired by this day:
My school produced their own version of the Tower of London poppies. Every child decorated a poppy which was laminated and then tied to our school railings to represent everyone who has learnt and remembered the events of the war. Children were invited to sponsor one of these poppies, like the tower. The effect as you drive or walk along the High Street is stunning.
Teachers too could make a contribution- here is my poppy which is somewhere on the railings.
War poetry on the tube. I love the songs and poetry of Ivor Gurney so I was delighted to be in the carriage with his poem, "Bach and the sentry". He was in good company with Siegfried Sassoon, Edward Thomas and others.
In the impressive atrium of King's Cross railway station, a substantial poppy was a focal point.
And of course, who can forget the famous poppies at the tower. I wish I could have got closer, but you can see the crowds,
The concert went well by the way. I drafted the former section of this post yesterday and here I am back after the concert. It went really well and we had a huge audience- 120 or more I believe. Admittedly, some parents don't really get the 'not talking' and watching part of the concert, but the children were superb and I am so glad that they enjoyed and performed well. I had a bit of a last minute crisis with the red t-shirts I'd bought for them. Somehow, a parcel of red t-shirts hadn't arrived or had been misplaced so I only had 42 t-shirts instead of 51, so our Business manager had to make a last minute dash to buy me some. I finally wore this Max C dress I've had kicking around for ages in the cupboard- seemed suitable for the day.
Plus my home-made poppy earrings.
xxx
