RAF Bomber crews remembered. Better late than never.

Sammi79 · #1 06-28-2012, 09:51 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18501658

An emotional day for me and my family, and a great many others.

Overjoyed that their sacrifice is finally recognised.

Mixed with sadness my Grandad (A Lancaster pilot who completed 30+ missions) who lost many close friends didn't live to see it.

No bitterness though, it is way past time to forfeit such ill feeling.

The thing that pleases me most is that it also remembers those who lost their lives in the attacks. I know my Grandad would have approved wholeheartedly, and my tears will be in part for them. A modern and conscientious approach to remembrance. Maybe it is a good thing it waited until now, for that reason. Many, many thanks to all those who campaigned for it, and for the understandably begrudging acceptance from Germany, it means a lot to us all and hints at an evolutionary process in social/political thinking, are we beginning to learn from our past mistakes? I will forever live in hope. It can only bring our countries closer, and strengthen the bonds between us.

Lest we forget.

Now I am going to cry.

Katana1000S · #2 06-29-2012, 08:46 PM

Saw it too, very emotional watching some of the old bomber guys remember their feelings, soon none of them (on any side) will be left from WW2.

Respect is due.

Cruel the way they were shunned by the governments of the time and thus many of the people too ... a total unglamorous job compared to the Fighter pilots of the time who were revered, well overdue recognition IMHO.

Things are a changing for sure, the queen shook hands with the IRA guy this week ... and while I dont do monarchy or terrorists, this might be the most useful thing she's ever done in her time, lets put bad times behind us and move on, the future is in science not in wars.

Ze-Jamz · #3 06-29-2012, 08:52 PM

About effing time too

Dano · #4 06-29-2012, 09:05 PM

Yes, I think my Grandfather was somewhat pleased to see this finally happen, sadly he didn't go himself as he didn't think he could have coped with the long day.

ATAG_Dutch · #5 06-29-2012, 09:22 PM

Watched every bit of it twice over last night. The documentary 'Who betrayed the Bomber Boys?' was also a very refreshing and truthful perspective on the reasons why we still have to defend them and their leader to this day.

A superb evening's TV which even made the Mrs weep. Me I just blamed the beer going up my nose.....

But the memorial itself is perfect in my view. In keeping with the surroundings, classically styled but incorporating appropriate design features which signify the period, and the postures of the figures themselves are perfect.

They may have waited sixty-odd years, but that memorial looks pretty permanent to me, and deservedly so.

Katana1000S · #6 06-29-2012, 10:24 PM

Thanks again Sammi.

Quote:

Almost half of the 125,000 Bomber Command lost their lives

Crikey!, but with all due respect, lets remember fallen men from both bomber sides ... from all sides, they were just pawns.

Bless them all.

Time to reflect.