Remembrance/Veterans Day, Chiang Mai 11/11/2014

[Frank James]

There was a lovely ceremony today at Chiang Mai's Foreign Cemetery to remember the fallen heroes, and honor the veterans, of all of the wars since WW1. It was truly inspiring to see veterans of WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, gathered together to remind us of the high cost of freedom. It was great to see the large crowd of all ages gathered, to honor still-living veterans from UK, Canada, Australia/New Zealand, and the USA, and to mark the grim One Hundredth Anniversary of the start of WW1, the 'War to End All Wars.'

Sorry I didn't take pictures, but it was a very emotional day and I didn't feel like intruding .

To all of the international veterans who now make Thailand your home, thank you for your service and sacrifice.

[Bill97]

All the best to all the vets. Have a great day today and everyday.

[Chicog]

[Torrens54]

Wish I had known. Would have liked to have attended.

[NancyL]

The ceremony is every year at the foreign cemetery. Same format. Best to show up around 10:30 am. The service starts around 10:45 am, perhaps a bit later so we're remembering at the 11th hour of the 11th day. Then afterwards many people adjourn over to the Gymnkhana Club for a mid-day buffet and to toast fallen comrades. Rather subdued, actually and most people dress like they're at a funeral service, which is appropriate. It's a moving ceremony and always a good day to get us thinking.

As Americans, we like the more "British" spin on the day where civilians who lost their lives in conflicts are honored in addition to people in military service. This is something we don't often think about in the U.S., but is very much a reality to those from Europe.

[Diplomatico]

As Americans, we like the more "British" spin on the day where civilians who lost their lives in conflicts are honored in addition to people in military service. This is something we don't often think about in the U.S., but is very much a reality to those from Europe.

The U.S. has a separate holiday in May, Memorial Day, specifically for honoring those who lost their lives while serving in the military. By contrast, Veterans Day is for honoring all veterans. I think the separate day for those in memoriam is the better construct.

[Frank James]

Nancy, yes, I did notice that most of the folks attending were dressed rather formally. I only heard about the service less than an hour before it happened, so I rolled over there on my bike, dressed as-is in my usual low rent farang outfit: shorts/sandals/t-shirt. The t-shirt had sleeves at least, clean, no holes and no tacky design. I took off as soon as the service ended, feeling a bit out of place.

I'll be better prepared next time, God willing. I meant no disrespect.

[millwall_fan]

I attended the Remembrance Service at the British Embassy in Bangkok this year, due to my exile here! A well constructed service with high up representatives of many countries present. You can't beat the Chiang Mai service though for being in touch with ordinary men and women who served or have been affected by war. One day I look forward to re turning on 11th of the 11th.

[quidnunc]

DULCE ET DECORUM EST

by Wilfred Owen (died Nov 4, 1918)

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,

Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,

Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs

And towards our distant rest began to trudge.

Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots

But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;

Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots

Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,

Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;

But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,

And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . .

Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,

As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,

He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace

Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,

His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood

Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,

Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud

Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory,

The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est

Pro patria mori.