Remembrance and the First World War centenaries, (Day Two) Why do we still need to remember events from so long ago?

Remembrance and the First World War Can you remember what this is and what it is for? Can you remember the poem it inspired? The poem was called In Flanders Fields and it was written during the First World War over 100 years ago.

Remembrance and the First World War At the end of the First World War, as well as the poppy it was decided that if people were going to remember the War, it should be at the same time every year. It was decided there would be one special time each year when everyone would think about those who were killed or wounded. It was decided that day should also be one that gave hope – the day the fighting stopped. Can anyone tell me what day that is?

Remembrance and the First World War The day is 11 November. Fighting in the First World War stopped at 11 o’clock in the morning. So at 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, we wear a poppy to think about those men and women who served in this and all wars since. The day is called Remembrance Day and on that day important things happen in Britain and some other countries around the world who fought with us.

Remembrance and the First World War People hold an act of Remembrance. Often they do this at a local war memorial. (include a picture of your local war memorial here.) http://www.warmemorials.org/links-scotland/ At an act of Remembrance a number of things can happen – poems can be read, as can names, letters, or anything that enables people to remember those who fought, their families and what they went through. Two things that often happen are the reading of the Exhortation and then a Two Minute Silence.

Remembrance and the First World War The exhortation is part of a poem called For the Fallen, written by an English poet called Laurence Binyon in 1914: 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. At the end everyone repeats the line ‘We will Remember them’. Laurence Binyon

Remembrance and the First World War During the Two Minute Silence, many people throughout the country stay silent to think about people they know or have heard about who have had their lives affected by conflict. Or they can think about those people who are fighting in wars today and how hard that must be for their families at home. Who would you think about?

Remembrance and the First World War After the Two Minutes Silence people can then lay wreaths made from poppies – but you don’t have to, it is remembering people who fought and were injured or died that is important. So do we just remember the men and the women from the First World War?

Remembrance and the First World War No. Unfortunately many other wars followed the First World War. In fact British troops are on active Service around the world today. There has been only one year since then – 1968 - when there have been no British servicemen or women killed in action. So when we wear a poppy we are remembering all the men and women and their families whose lives are affected by war since the First World War right up to today.

Remembrance and the First World War Do you think it is just those who are killed that we should remember when we wear a poppy? No. The poppy and Remembrance Day are about remembering or thinking about all those people whose lives are affected by war, including the families of those who fight. . For 100 years the poppy and the Two Minute Silence have been a chance for us all to think about the people hurt by wars, and to keep alive the tradition of hope that the future will be peaceful. So this year, have a think about how you are keeping a tradition of hope alive that started 100 years ago.

Remembrance and the First World War Optional- Moment of reflection or, if on 11 November, hold a two Minute Silence. Let us reflect on all those who have suffered in wars and think about how we can help them to feel hope.