War and Peace

I started Friday's walk with a wander down to my local war memorial, where I stood for a few moments in silent reflection before continuing.

The names on the memorial meant little to me, as I have only lived here for a few years, but it was, and is, is important to remember each person named was someone's son (only male names on this particular memorial), boyfriend, husband, brother, father, cousin, uncle, nephew, neighbour, colleague, friend.

I struggle with the regimented, almost forced, acts of remembrance in November and also some of the aspects of commemorating / celebrating VE Day, which seem to escalate as the distance extends each year from the original events. (And don't get me started on Clap for Carers, which is going down the same route!) For what it's worth, at VE Day 1945 the man who was to be my father was working as forced labour on a railway in Thailand. Dancing in the streets was the furthest thing on their minds that day.

But it is right to be grateful and give thanks to those who served and who serve today. Friday, VE Day, was a day to celebrate peace and the end of war. After 75 years, though, surely it's time to put talk of victory to one side and work towards unity, co-operation, goodwill and peace.

But, hey, this is a photo-sharing platform, not a political soapbox.
Be excellent to one another! I think I can get away with that.