They are gone but not forgotten. How can they be when every year so many countries remembrance day or veteran’s day is celebrated? When we hear a eulogy for a mother or a eulogy for a father they are usually very personal, speaking of that person’s attributes and personalities. Remembrance Day is different because on that day we speak about the sacrifices of the collective armed forces. Words like courage, bravery and patriotism are an integral part of a remembrance oration or speech. Sometime Veteran’s day is called Armistice Day in commemoration of the ending of the first world war in November 1918. On that day we remember the poppies in Flanders, a symbol of the blood shed in the trenches. Monarchs and heads of State lay wreaths at the tombs of unknown soldiers. They are often flanked by today’s serving soldiers or by elderly veterans proudly wearing their medals. It is however, their families and friends who remember such patriots in their hearts.

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Isn’t it strange how countries differ when celebrating? The Irish drown the shamrock on St. Patrick ’s Day. The Chinese New Year is celebrated with lots of fireworks while in Jersey they have the battle of flowers.
Some things are the same though whatever the country and whatever their reason for celebrating. One of those things is atmosphere. There is an air of expectancy and excitement. Flags and bunting flutter in the breeze and everyone is in good spirits and enjoying the occasion. Another thing they have in common is parades. Whether it is
the excitement of the Mardi gras or the Marksman’s parade in Hanover in Germany, people march past, often dressed in colourful clothing or aboard wonderfully decorated floats.
Military parades often take place on patriotic occasions. The sound of marching feet or the drone of aeroplanes as they do a fly past capturing the attention of a sometimes silent crowd. They are not as colourful as the others but they can be awe inspiring and they evoke a feeling of patriotism and pride.
Children love festivals and parades and it is traditional to see fathers hoist their offspring on their shoulders for a better view. A parade wouldn’t be a parade if young boys did not climb up every statue along the route to ensure that they saw everything. Bands play and crowds cheer and clap. So whether you are celebrating Workers Day or Independence Day enjoy it and be part of that crowd.

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Independence is something we take for granted. Yet the citizens of many countries do not have that privilege. That is why it is good to express our feelings of privilege on the 4^th July on Independence day. On Flag Day we can express our feelings for the flag, the symbol of that independence. Other independent countries of course celebrate not strictly independence but their pride in the nationhood. Australia day is one such celebration. Yet more countries celebrate their nationhood based on a religious festival such as the Irish St. Patrick’s Day. The age old question for many countries is will we have Patriotism or peace? Only when that is resolved can they truly enjoy Independence.

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