Re: Observing 2 minutes silence.

Absolutly no idea... But the Dutch are well known for being thrifty maybe they dont want to interrupt the working day!

Re: Observing 2 minutes silence.

Good point.

Re: Observing 2 minutes silence.

Me too.

In fact, I'm silent for much longer than that when my first wife is talking.

Re: Observing 2 minutes silence.

My family always does this in respect for the soldiers whose lives were taken fighting for us. Here in my city, the media reported a huge turnout to cenotaphs and other ceremonies - well attended by young and old.

Re: Observing 2 minutes silence.

Rotterdam, where I was based, was badly damaged by the Luftwaffe and many were killed because, or so I was told, there was supposedly a ceasefire in place at the time while talks took place between the two sides.

I was told that the German Commander at the scene agreed to hold fire but didn't know a superior, (possibly Hermann Göring himself), had over-ruled him and ordered-in the Luftwaffe so many, many people were caught out in the open.
At least 900 were killed and 85,000 homeless.

In my time there, Germans were still not welcome in Rotterdam and the Dutch are very gregarious normally. stevmk2

Re: Observing 2 minutes silence.

I attended a church service which was both beautiful and emotional. Total silence and deep thoughts in those two previous minutes.

Re: Observing 2 minutes silence.

I also attended church last Sunday for our memorial sevice there, Because i live in a village, it was very personal, totally moving and beautiful. We sang my favourite hymn which is the modern version of "The Lords my Shepherd by Stuart Townend--check it out on Youtube. Afterwards everyone walked down to the village memorial, 10 minutes walk--wreaths were laid, prayers and hymns, and poems, plus the Silence--walk back to church where the Army cadets had laid on sandwiches, cakes and coffee in the church foyer. I left home at 9.00, back home at 1.00.

This morning we had another, shorter service at our coffee morning. Bryan, our vicar, read a story about 4 individual soldiers, relating to the tomb of the unknown Warrier-followed by a minutes silence and prayers. It was very emotional.