I think the point is that to so many people the war memorials represent history and they know nothing about it. For some,of course, the memorials will always be a target as they are an unguarded representation of our Armed Forces.
As a small boy I was always taken by my parents to Southampton's Cenotaph to watch the parade on Remembrance Sunday. Mum's Dad would be marching in it along with other members of the British Legion. All wearing their medals. Dad would not march but never the less wore his medals to watch the parade ...... But then we also used to stand at the end of a film whilst the National Anthem was played.
Respect for the Monarch and her Forces has long since vanished I'm afraid. I still attend on Remembrance Day and Minor is hoping to take over the playing of the Last Post when the old boy who has done it in the village for years finally blows his last.
Sadly respect for those who have died in the service of their country and our freedoms gets less with each passing year. There are many of today's yoof who have no idea what the War Memorials are there for.
Sadly too there are still some memorials erected after WWI that have never had the local WWII additions made to them and even more where "Right on Left Wing" local councils refuse to add more recent service deaths from Korea, Northern Ireland, Borneo, Cyprus, Aden, 2xGulf Wars etc etc ..... apparently these don't count as real wars.
In this village we get a turn out of about 50 people (From a population of 2300) and yes I'm there with Veteran's Badge and RAF tie proudly displayed.
