Why is Remembrance Important?

by Filippa Furniss

(photograph by Tony Hicks)

Last week marked the monumental centenary moment since the beginning of World War One, which was remembered momentously on both Sunday 9th and Tuesday 11th November. As a cadet of the CCF, I was honoured to be a part of the annual Remembrance Parade, which took place at the Guildhall Square. The Parade was slick and well executed, with PGS being represented by a squad of CCF cadets of all sections, and Mr Priory himself, who was accompanied by a number of Junior School pupils.

Remembrance is probably the one moment each year when, throughout the nation, at precisely 11 o’clock, the entire population goes silent for just 2 minutes. In those two minutes, at least 60 million people turn their thoughts to those who risked and lost their lives for us in conflicts in the past. When I think about just how many people are honouring these individuals, not just in Britain, but all over the world, I find it difficult to grasp just how central Remembrance is in everyone’s mind for those two minutes of utter stillness.

It was here where I began to consider how Remembrance is important to different people for different reasons. With this in mind, I’ve asked some of the senior teachers their opinions, to which they all kindly responded:

Why is Remembrance important?

(photograph by Tony Hicks)

“Remembrance is important because it gives us all the opportunity to stop and think about all those who have fallen in service of their country.”

                                                                        Miss Linnett

“The act of remembrance can be seen as a process, requiring the formation of a mental picture or impression of a past event, person or people - whether real or imagined.  If the process is collective, it can be a really powerful (positive or negative) way of cohering communities through the shared retention of such mental pictures or impressions.” 

                                                                        Mr Gallop

“Remembrance is important and deeply personal to me as it allows me the time and space to reflect on the enormity of human sacrifice in the face of devastating danger throughout the ages, but especially over the last 100 years.”

                                                                        Mr Charles

“Remembrance is important because it one of those rare moments of stillness and togetherness when we genuinely stop and think about the things that matter.”

Mr Priory

Thank you.

We Will Remember Them.

(photograph by Tony Hicks)