In Flanders Fields

'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.'

What does it mean to remember them? What is Remembrance Day actually about?

First off let me say, that I fully support the act of remembering those who have died in war, especially the huge numbers who died during the two world wars.

However, I think it is important for us to be clear about what we are actually remembering. Some people might say we are remembering all those who gave their lives for what they believed in, a greater cause than themselves. They died for their country, for freedom. I think this approach is a little dangerous, as many people have died for something they believe in, and yet, quite rightly, many of those are not celebrated. Many freedom fighters have come and gone, fighting for countries, religions, rights, freedom and 'the greater good'. Some of these have been heroes, and others villains, so I do not think dying out of conviction for the cause is enough to warrant ‘remembrance’. I am sure that many suicide bombers have blown themselves up with equal conviction.

So, conviction aside, perhaps it is the cause that matters. In reality what was the cause? Clearly in the Second World War, there was a point, a clear enemy that needed to be defeated, but what about WW1? Is there any explanation other than the reality that thousands of lives were wasted over a causeless war waged by the rulers and fought by the civilians? As Sartre said, 'When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die'.

A word people often use around such emotional times as Remembrance Day is ‘moving’. I suggest that Remembrance Day, and indeed every time we remember the people who have died in war, we should be moved. ‘Moved’ is not an instantaneous reaction or two minutes of tears. ‘Moved’ is dynamic. If we are moved, then what are we moved to?

90 years on from the ‘Great’ War, have we been moved by the events that led to the deaths of thousands of civilians? Have we learnt any lessons from these tragedies? Have we been moved into action to try and prevent further tragedies?

No. Instead Remembrance Day has become a cheap plug for our foreign policy and an excuse for the country to sink into detrimental Nationalism. As we remember the dead, there are others dying all over the world due directly to the choices of our country. Whether in Afghanistan and Iraq where our selfish ambition has led countries to the brink of civil war, or Darfur, Burma and Zimbabwe where our selfish apathy and inaction has led to the breakdown of the very rights we fought to protect 60 years ago. I name but a few. There are many more places around the world, where either directly, or more indirectly (through arms deals and political agendas), we are going against the very things our veterans supposedly fought for.

If there is one thing that Remembrance Day should be about, it is about remembering the tragedy of human selfishness, and the virtue of human selflessness; and in everything we do, honouring the memory of those who have in the past have died in war, by seeking to ensure that as few names as possible are added to that list.

' Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.'