Remembrance

[Lord Steve]

This thread makes us all take stock and reflect on the fact that had it not been for the stoic bravery of those who fought and died in both world wars, none of us would be able to experience the self indulgent hedonism that is our annual pilgrimmage to Le Mans.
In fact there's a lot of other things that would be very different in our priveledged lives now.

Whilst all of us, in our own ways, have planned to remember those who fell we should not miss the opportunity to have a group commemoration when we are all together.

Whilst it may not exactly be the most appropriate venue, the shampoo bar on Saturday night sees us all together in the one place.
A minutes silence would be very appropriate if we can do it, say at a pre-determined time (10.00 pm?).
Alternatively, or in addition, a rousing version of Abide By Me or something similar.

What do you all think?

[Canada Phil]

Well said Lord Steve. While I support the idea of a commeration a minutes silence in the mdlle of a 24 hour race is too much of a strech. A rousing cheer is more achievable. See you there.
Canada Phil

[Snoring Rhino]

I agree Phil
I thiink we could make a very respectful amount of noise - i.e. hip hip horay,  and it would somehow seem to fit with balls out charge they made.

[Snoring Rhino]

You have a good point Big H, I thought we would be saluting ALL the brave men who fell and who came through, if I got that wrong, then best not.

[Lawnmower Man]

A minutes silence would be very appropriate if we can do it, say at a pre-determined time (10.00 pm?).
Alternatively, or in addition, a rousing version of Abide By Me or something similar.

What do you all think?

A silence will be lost in all the din of the newspaper sellers and Comentary
and Cars.  

Abide By Me seems the better option IMVVHO.

t.

[jpchenet]

I don't think a minutes silence would be lost. In fact I think a couple of hundred people standing for a minutes silence, thinking of those who tragically gave their lives for us to live a life of freedom, while all else around us carries us as normal would perhaps be even more poignant.

After all. it's the act of rememberance that is important, no matter how you do it. And I wholeheartedly agree that it should be to remember ALL those who lost their lives.

[Lawnmower Man]

Yes you are of course quite correct JP. In fact we could/should do both!

[Abs]

I don't think a minutes silence would be lost. In fact I think a couple of hundred people standing for a minutes silence, thinking of those who tragically gave their lives for us to live a life of freedom, while all else around us carries us as normal would perhaps be even more poignant.

After all. it's the act of rememberance that is important, no matter how you do it. And I wholeheartedly agree that it should be to remember ALL those who lost their lives.

I have to agree with JP on this one, I don't see a minutes silence being lost at all as for when and where the poo bar is when everyone will hopefully be together so it makes sense to hold it there.

[Andy Zarse]

My two pennies worth.

I believe any act of rememberance should be performed when stone cold sober. By ten on Saturday, I will be pissed blind. Thus, I feel it would be better held on say sunday morning at 11.00, the traditional time for such things.

Having said that, if it falls silent at 10pm at the poo bar, I know that I and my colleagues will all fall silent too. But it could lead to a booze fuelled argument if someone or another group of revellers don't see things our way and continue with their festivities..

That's what I think anyway.

[Nordic]

I wonder if it would not be possible to arrange a minutes silence via the radio LM team or the aco, either before or after the national anthems at the start of the race.

[Lord Steve]

I still think a minutes silence at the shampoo bar is the best idea notwithstanding all the chaos that's going on around.
I also like the idea of something being arranged with RLM or the ACO for 1 minute before the start.
Is anyone connected well enough with either to suggest it?

[Matt Harper]

Hello again all
- sorry to have been out of the loop - been over in UK for a few days - Mmmm Tetley Bitter, Mmmmm real curry, Mmmm fish & chips......
Some very interesting comments in this thread.
I absolutely agree with Andy Z on this one (there's a first). I'm not a big fan of collective contemplation - it sometimes seems a wee bit contrived. Doing so while arseholed is asking for trouble. Someone will be disrespectful and the whole thing could end-up in a kick-up.
Personally, I'd feel a little awkward - I'm not sure it's an appropriate venue or occasion.
Several members of our group at the race are close family and/or very close friends. We have a bit of a weepy rememberence at 4.00pm on race-day for one of my younger brothers who died in horrible circumstances - and loved Le Mans. But rather than stand in silence, heads bowed and solemn, we celebrate him with Champagne. We call it 'raising a glass for the Wild Man' (he was a bit of a nutter, it has to be said) and we do it every year. We remember him - but in a fun way.
It might be wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to raise glasses to those people who died on the beaches and elsewhere in 1944, I don't know - but I don't think I'd really want to stand among a group, in silence, while the rest of the world staggered by laughing at us.
It works here in the states when they play the Stars and Stripes at a race - everyone, but everyone gets off their ass, takes off their hat and behaves respectfully - but if you're the minority, you're also a curiosity and a potential target for piss-taking, which will lead to a punch-up - I absolutely guarantee it.
Footnote: The Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge (between St Quentin and Abbeville) is a mind-melter.  

[Rusty]

Footnote: The Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge (between St Quentin and Abbeville) is a mind-melter.  

Totally agree there Matt. Went there last year. It is truly awesome.
Rusty

[smokie]

I have split these posts out of the original thread as I don't believe this discussion really belongs there.

FWIW there was some small mention of this tonight at the Berkshire Planning Meeting. One point mentioned was that there is no special significance attached to the time or date of the shampoo bar event (Sat 12 June) so maybe a tribute would appear OTT, or at least attract some derision from those unaware of what was going on.

Personally, I would question the approporiateness of a "group recognition" at the shampoo bar, and would prefer to let each CA member pay his own tribute in the manner which he himself was comfortable with.

 Having said that, if there were a tribute made on the Saturday, I would certainly support it, and would like to think that any passing people, whatever nationality, would understand what was happening and feel able to stand alongside us to pay tribute to those who gave so much.