I am just back to work after a bank holiday weekend and I need to get something off my chest. I have lived in US for nine years now and the Memorial Day parades over here never cease to amaze me. There is the utmost respect for the countries armed forces, serving, retired and fallen. That respect is passed down to the kids in a way that they probably wont even be able to fathom.

In the local cemeteries, every grave of fallen soldiers/airmen/sailors has a flag planted next to it. People line the streets to watch veterans file past. Proudly marching in their, sometimes ill fitting uniforms, from WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

I know that Americans get a bad press from time to time but i cant imagine them letting somebody protest at returning soldiers, allow someone to burn poppies in protest or even disrespect the national flag. Not to mention the desecration of graves, a heinous crime in itself. This is the land of the free and the citizens of USA will always remember that. There is a strong sense of patriotism over here, of the like I remember when i was a cadet in the local ATC, late sixties early seventies. Marching in November, hail rain or snow, behind British Legion members with people lining the streets. Whatever happened to that. Whatever happened to respect.

 

Rant over.

 

ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL

I am just back to work after a bank holiday weekend and I need to get something off my chest. I have lived in US for nine years now and the Memorial Day parades over here never cease to amaze me. There is the utmost respect for the countries armed forces, serving, retired and fallen. That respect is passed down to the kids in a way that they probably wont even be able to fathom.

In the local cemeteries, every grave of fallen soldiers/airmen/sailors has a flag planted next to it. People line the streets to watch veterans file past. Proudly marching in their, sometimes ill fitting uniforms, from WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

I know that Americans get a bad press from time to time but i cant imagine them letting somebody protest at returning soldiers, allow someone to burn poppies in protest or even disrespect the national flag. Not to mention the desecration of graves, a heinous crime in itself. This is the land of the free and the citizens of USA will always remember that. There is a strong sense of patriotism over here, of the like I remember when i was a cadet in the local ATC, late sixties early seventies. Marching in November, hail rain or snow, behind British Legion members with people lining the streets. Whatever happened to that. Whatever happened to respect.

 

Rant over.

 

ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL

 

I think you would be pleasantly surprised at the turn out on Remembrance Sunady over here, even her in little old shitty Athy the area around the Cenotaph is always packed, the number of young 'uns is growing every year too, I suspect because some of their mates have joined up

Athy's right. The attendees at service at the memorial near me go up every year, young folk too. These are young folk who give up their Sunday to do it, not because they've been indoctinated and because it's a National holiday,

 

No offence Shytalk, but you're talking bollocks. Yes, American may do it bigger and better, but the sentiment and respect over here is just maybe a bit more muted due to us British not liking to bang a drum at any opportunity to tell everyone how free and democratic our country is. It just is you see, and that's why I love being British.

Edited May 29, 201214 yr by no balls

Athy's right. The attendees at service at the memorial near me go up every year, young folk too. These are young folk who give up their Sunday to do it, not because they've been indoctinated and because it's a National holiday,

 

No offence Shytalk, but you're talking bollocks. Yes, American may do it bigger and better, but the sentiment and respect over here is just maybe a bit more muted due to us British not liking to bang a drum at any opportunity to tell everyone how free and democratic our country is. It just is you see, and that's why they'll never be as respected round the world as British people are.

 

I'll tell you what S. that post has made my night

I'll tell you what S. that post has made my night

 

I did edit it though, to me being British as I didn't want to start upsetting all those who think we are wrong to think the American nation an egotistical one.

They'll think Im one of them lefties you see

I did edit it though, to me being British as I didn't want to start upsetting all those who think we are wrong to think the American nation an egotistical one.

They'll think Im one of them lefties you see

 

I know what you mean, i really hate the term 'British' though, I am English

I am just back to work after a bank holiday weekend and I need to get something off my chest. I have lived in US for nine years now and the Memorial Day parades over here never cease to amaze me. There is the utmost respect for the countries armed forces, serving, retired and fallen. That respect is passed down to the kids in a way that they probably wont even be able to fathom.

In the local cemeteries, every grave of fallen soldiers/airmen/sailors has a flag planted next to it. People line the streets to watch veterans file past. Proudly marching in their, sometimes ill fitting uniforms, from WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

I know that Americans get a bad press from time to time but i cant imagine them letting somebody protest at returning soldiers, allow someone to burn poppies in protest or even disrespect the national flag. Not to mention the desecration of graves, a heinous crime in itself. This is the land of the free and the citizens of USA will always remember that. There is a strong sense of patriotism over here, of the like I remember when i was a cadet in the local ATC, late sixties early seventies. Marching in November, hail rain or snow, behind British Legion members with people lining the streets. Whatever happened to that. Whatever happened to respect.

 

Rant over.

 

ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL

 

These people protest at Soldier's funerals. Every country's got it's nutters. http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=louis%20theroux%20weird%20weekends%20most%20hated%20family%20america&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CFQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanpop.com%2Fspots%2Flouis-therouxs-weird-weekends%2Flinks%2F134894&ei=K9PFT66SHYeO8gPlyY2CBg&usg=AFQjCNGQY44JvxdDWDkTQFJ2KbuO_hEG-A

 

 

Muted respect paid by people at places like Wootton Bassett is just as powerful, and no less pertinent, than anything the Yanks serve up.

These people protest at Soldier's funerals. Every country's got it's nutters. http://www.google.co...TQFJ2KbuO_hEG-A

 

 

Muted respect paid by people at places like Royal Wootton Bassett is just as powerful, and no less pertinent, than anything the Yanks serve up.

 

No offence Shytalk, but you're talking bollocks. Yes, American may do it bigger and better, but the sentiment and respect over here is just maybe a bit more muted due to us British not liking to bang a drum at any opportunity to tell everyone how free and democratic our country is. It just is you see, and that's why I love being British.

 

Thanks for the reality check S. This was never meant to be an 'anti british' post, nor should it be turned into 'anti american'. I am British and always will be. I spent thirteen years on active service during which time I was shot at, spat at, stabbed and glassed. Lost good friends and seen many a life ruined. Not because I had to, but because I chose to.

Did I do this to demand respect? No.

But it does give me a reason to get passionate and emotional about anything 'anti Armed Forces'. So please excuse me for "talking bollocks" as events over the weekend kind of stirred the emotion.

The Americans certainly have a different way of approaching this stuff, but nobody can deny their passion to support their servicemen/women.

Vinny Mac gives current and ex military free entry to all the WWE shows.

 

Plus they go OTT with reactions like this one when the US military killed Osama.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfkCEffFENo&feature=related