The Nation Remembers

Remembrance Day and the Two Minute Silence have been observed since the end of the First World War, but their relevance remains undiminished. When we bow our heads in reflection, we remember those who fought for our freedom during the two World Wars. But we also mourn and honour those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts. Today, with troops on duty in Afghanistan and other trouble spots around the world, Remembrance, and this two minute tribute, are as important as ever.

Remembrance Events

The Legion organises a number of events to ensure that the nation has the opportunity to pay its respects to its Service men and women, past and present. These include:

• The Two Minute Silence at 11am on 11th day of the 11th month
• Silence in the Square event in London incorporating the Two Minute Silence, also available by webcast
• The Parade and Service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday
• The Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall
• The Annual Poppy Appeal
• Dedicate a tribute in the Fields of Remembrance.
• A special tribute for those who participated in The Great War - Flanders' Field of Poppies
• And in 2011, there was a special Remembrance Day commemoration - 11-11-11-11
• Learning Pack for schools and young people with features on Remembrance
• An International Seminar on Remembrance for young people in 2011
• A range of local Remembrance events

These are just a few of the ways in which the Legion helps to ensure that: "If we are to maintain our peace and freedom, we must always remember".

Your Service of Remembrance

Following tragedies such as Dunblane and 9/11, the Churches were approached by many non ex-Service organisations for advice about Remembrance Services. The Legion was then approached for its views about developing a new Remembrance Service which could be used in non-military as well as military environments, by people of all faiths and none. A new Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday was produced, after many discussions between Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and The Royal British Legion.

The new Service is simpler, more straightforward and more inclusive, but we have ensured that all the essential traditional elements remain. The Service also includes many options so communities can decide for themselves the sort of Service they wish to arrange.

The new Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday is available from CTBI Publications, phone 01733 325 002 or via www.ctbi.org.uk

• Service of Remembrance
• The Exhortation

If you would like a video or mp3 file for your 2 minute silence, please use the links below.

• Two minute silence video
• Two minute silence mp3 file

Information about ordering wreaths is available here.