Each year I always make an effort to wear a poppy, like many others for personal reasons. Luckily I have never had to witness the horror of war at first hand or lose a family member or friend, a person who left only never to return.
What has happened over recent years where various organisations and people have simply high jacked and ‘glamorised’ the notion that War is a Hollywood production for some to prove their Britishness is wrong, plain and simple.
In 1943 my Great-grand-parents received the news any parent dreads during such a time, your son has been killed in action. Just 6 weeks later the same horror news arrived again, another son was dead.
James and Bernard Martin had both served in the RAF and been involved in similar missions, which I understand where against the German U-Boat base in Brittany, France. My Mum has told me it nearly destroyed my Great-Grandmother and she stayed in her room for nearly 6 months grieving for the two sons who would never come home.
At the back of my Church is a list of nearly 100 men who died during WW1, only names to me but fathers, sons, brothers, friends to so many others.
When a bullet or bomb is fired it doesn’t ask what religion or football team you support, you are simply the enemy until the madness stops and the sound of the last bullet has been fired or shell been dropped.
I don’t know if it’s widely known but a young man that Celtic signed in 1911 called Willie Angus was awarded the Victoria Cross on 12 June 1915 for his bravery. He lost an eye and was wounded at least 40 times. Would the people who sang at Dundee have looked him in face, with one remaining eye, and tried to justify their actions?
Please just show respect for all who have died in War, not just here but everywhere and respect the minute’s silence tomorrow.
The final thing to remember is a saying I heard years ago ‘Politicians start wars but ordinary people have to fight and die in them’.
Read more about Celtic’s war hero Willie Angus and how he won the Victoria Cross HERE.
Written by Garibaldi
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Also on The Celtic Star…
Remember Celtic legend Peter Johnstone, killed in action. Silence is green, white and Golden…See HERE.
Livingston v Celtic: Remembrance Day – A Plea for Silence…See HERE.
Please observe the minute of silence before tomorrow’s game.
We are in a no one situation with this. One Buckfast fuelled latecomer will again bring criticism on the Celtic Support. Anyone who disagrees should stay away if they feel that they cant stand for the silence.