Every year on Remembrance Sunday, Veterans For Peace walk to The Cenotaph in London under the banner “NEVER AGAIN”.
We hold a ceremony at The Cenotaph to remember all of those killed in war, including civilians and enemy soldiers.
We say, war is not the solution to the problems we face in the 21st Century.
Veterans For Peace UK 
It was an amazing experience to be part of the Veterans For Peace UK ceremony at the Cenotaph. Thank you, brothers and sisters for the invitation!
My last post: I meant to say
we are not really fighting for western democracy orfreedom`, words that are regularly branded about to justify why we are in such places and aided by corporate media. Finally, the RBL FoR, today, should be amended to reflect the modern, consumer driven, energy dependent industrialized world in the following ways: Instead of the Royal Family and political leaders sat viewing the ceremonies in the balcony seats, in their place, instead, should sit the CEOs of all the major oil and natural gas consortiums and major multi national corporations, the head of the IMF and World Bank and all other such entities that have true control of the world. Then, at the end, instead of poppies raining down, there should be huge delude of unrefined crude oil, natural gas and a shower of US Dollar bills……I also could not help thinking, as I watched the RBL Festival of Remembrance on YouTube (I live in the US) that the service is somewhat reflective of a past colonial, empirical era that is all bound together by the
purityof Judeo Christianity and the heroic nature of war as was so when the service was established to commemorate WW1. In all probability, there is noGod(and who would worship such a psychotic entity like that if there were one as represented) empire is over and we are NOT fighting (AKA invading and occupying other nations for their vast resources) but mainly oil and natural gas, the desire to establish pipe lines through geopolitical areas of interests, and for the commercial interest of multinational corporations that have the backing ofelectedgovernments especially as in the USA. Further, we should remember and grieve for the hundreds of thousands of casualties in the nations that we interfere in (both overtly and covertly) the destruction we cause there and the thousands of people we turn into refugees. I am proud of my service in the UK Armed Forces, I owe it a lot and would not have what I have now if it were not for it and our Armed Forces are institutions that make Britain what it is. However, we all have our part to play in a consumer driven society and the price the world pays for it.I find it almost too much to view moving and eloquent speeches from former service members missing limbs and the relatives of those who were killed. I find such things so troubling because I find it too difficult to accept any justifiable reason for our involvement recent post 9/11 wars accept that we were part of of criminal push to US hegemony facilitated by 911 and a regime in the US that had an agenda to implement. I also think that all current modern
wars, overt and covert, relate to the real national security issue for all current and emerging industrializedeconomies – oil and gas energy security and the protection of the USD as the global reserve currency. We must all share our part of our collective and individual responsibly in this equation as none ever seems to to stop and think how such resources are acquired just as long as we have cheap energy and unlimited supply to fuel a consumerism culture, a way of life that is not sustainable.
admirable,shows humility and the lovingkindness of which Thomas Hardy wrote in 1918.
We do not have any right to invade other countries and kill their people. Soldiers who were conscripted to do so in the two world wars knew that their comrades were not all heroes, and mourned for the men they were told to kill by the useless “leaders” and for their own families and themselves.
Remote killing in war, including the unfortunate “collateral damage”, is becoming the norm, a far cry from the representation of warfare beloved of the media. Aerial warfare, especially, is unspeakable.
Remembrance ? It cannot be separated from what is remembered. The official, “embedded” account is increasingly an insult to the war dead, as it more or less consciously encourages militarism.
It was, as always, such a privilege to walk behind the Veterans. Thank you for all you do to raise awareness and tell the truth – and thank you for all the ways you are working to turn ‘Never Again’ into a living reality.
My humble gratitude to all of you men and woman of VFP for this saving grace on a day of such grief & irony.
A fitting ceremony including of course the eternal words of Sassoon . Thanks for all you endeavor.
It’s such a great feeling to be in solidarity with my brothers and sisters across the pond. As a VFP USA member, I felt as if I were meeting relatives for the first time. After all, we are all one family.
As the child of two parents who both fought in WW2 and whose grandfather died of injuries sustained in WW1, I am thankful that there is a commemoration I can support as the “official” one continues, in my view, to celebrate militarism.
I am honoured to give my continued support the Veterans for Peace.Every yeare the numbers swell both in the number of Veterans and supporters.The world wants peace and Veterans for Peace show the true meaning of remembrance.I was proud to be there as usual .Thank you for all you do .
Thank you
I am so proud to be associated with VFP-UK. Unable to contribute more than words I am humbled by the committment and courage of all those who marched to hounor all those who have and do suffer from war. As long as there are careing people on this earth who support and believe in our dream of a peaceful planet then westil have hope.
Absolutely stunning “classical rap” by the VFP orator – “Sixteen years old when I went to war …. gun in my hand and God on my side”
https://vfpuk.org///2016/the-cenotaph-2016/
VFP members are taking responsibility – I feel a deep and humbling respect for the VFP actions.
Until we take responsibility for the murder of millions of decent human beings – of difference colour, creed, fashion sense to us – along with the destruction of our eco systems and fellow live forms – and then our very own sisters and brothers, fathers and mothers – conned into serving criminal power when they sacrificed for the good of all – until we all take that responsibility, we will never ever see “Another World” where the beauty of our species can thrive in co-operation with others in a healthy, verdant, flourishing biosphere free from war, poverty and injustice. A big clap and warm thanks for your courage in standing up to be counted.
Namaste …… John Yates
The true meaning of remembrance.
Once again I was privileged to represent generations of veterans from the USA, sharing heartfelt tears with my courageous brothers and sisters of VFP-UK at the sounding of The Last Post.
Gene Marx
Bellingham, WA
VFP-111
Always a privilege to walk with you, in your wake. I am proud to be in such courageous company – the type of courage that comes from conviction and integrity.
In Friendship.
Very moving ceremony at the Cenotaph!
I was with all of you in Spirit.
Michael Jacobsen, Bellingham WA USA