The point is if the same people showed both approaches, they obviously don't lack respect and in fact wanted to show it.
Today as the parade fell in next to the local War Memorial after marching through the town, local people of every generation stood in waiting, muffled greetings mixed with children being quietly hushed. Orders of service were being readied, standards fluttered as a lone piper played a soulful lament. This was the moment when someone chose to start emptying their carrier bags of bottles into the bottle bank that is in the memorial car park. It really makes you wonder!
It was a woman in her thirties, rather remarkably, before anyone else could get there a British Legion member very politely told her he would shove the bottles right in for her. This old chap already had my deepest respect, just a glance at his medals and the colour of his beret earnt it. I don't think she knew how to take what he said, but she left her bags and trotted away, whilst he stood with a wry grin on his face.
Fair enough. I was expecting it be some lowlife chav with a can of Special Brew in one hand and a bag of stolen goods in the other.
Actually that incident aside, I have posted before that today always is a difficult day or me, it took me years to go, I hate the last post. My Grandson was a standard bearer for the cubs today, so I have to show willing. Mind you it's the one day the wife doesn't nag me.
