Behaviour was morally unacceptable

THE world we inhabit today owes everything to those magnificent men and women of our Armed Forces and Public Services of our past, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our today and future. On Thursday 11th November, representatives of the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Association and local organisations took part on Royal Parade in Plymouth and the two minutes' silence in honour of our 'glorious dead' of both world wars and all interim conflicts, from August 1914 to date and the present conflict in Iraq at the Garden of Remembrance. Once again our shipmates, both in their 80s, Fred Hodges of Liskeard and Henry Moss of St Cleer, plus many other youngsters in their late 60s and 70s paraded with them to brave the elements, which fortunately this year were in our favour and very kind to us. Precisely at 1100 hrs and the sound of the signal, initiating the commencement of the two minutes' silence, all stood to attention, bareheaded in silence until 1102 and it was gratifying to see many members of our community "young and old" stood to attention in silence also. Thank you all. Of those who did not observe the reverence of the occasion, one youngster said to me after "all we ask for is two minutes of their time a year, not asking too much is it?" Their behaviour was morally unacceptable at this time, especially in this the 21st century. Had he been old enough (he was only about 15 if that), I would have taken him into the Legion for a pint. Thank you young man, whoever you were, and God bless you. We should grasp this opportunity to encourage our youngsters through the RBL, probably a junior section, in teaching them of our past history and self-sacrifices made by our forbearers and encourage them to carry on the traditions of the RBL and teach them that nothing will ever diminish the memory of their bravery, professionalism and let nothing tarnish their tradition of duty and self-sacrifice and always find time on the 11th November at 11am to pause and reflect and encourage others also and remember the debt of gratitude we owe these magnificent men and women. "We will remember them".

R CHITTY Liskeard RNA and RBL