søndag, november 11, 2012

Remembrance Day: Danish soldiers wearing the poppy


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Intro first in Danish, then in English - article is in English

INTRO PÅ DANSK
Denne artikel blev skrevet i november 2009, da forfatteren arbejdede som praktikant for forsvarsattacheen på den danske ambassade i London. Armistice Day, 11. november, er dagen, hvor man oprindeligt erindrede fredsslutningen af Første Verdenskrig. Det er i dag en mindedag for faldne og sårede soldater, primært højtideligholdt i Commonwealthlandene.

Siden jeg skrev teksten, er der kommet tiltag af denne slags til også i fredelige Danmark, der ellers ikke har samme krigeriske traditioner som UK. Der er flagdagen 5. september, og den gule sløjfe fra SSOP er også ganske udbredt. Der er dog den forskel, at støtten blandt briter til deres soldater er mere bredt funderet end i Danmark, hvor politiske skel i højere grad baner sig vej ned til opfattelsen af forsvaret.

INTRO IN ENGLISH
I wrote this article about Remembrance Sunday while being the Defence Attaché's intern at the Danish Embassy in London. Since then, November 2009, Denmark has introduced an official "flag day" for homecoming soldiers, so there now is some "physical manifestation of remembrance" - but still not as widespread as in the Commonwealth. Personally, I'm all right with that; Denmark has sacrificed a lot in recent years, but not by far - by far - as much as our current allies did during the 20th Century.

Danish soldiers wearing the poppy

Wherever your turn your head in the UK these weeks, you see red poppies. On suits and denim jackets, on old and young, on men and women. Such a physical manifestation of remembrance and respect for the fallen is not known in Denmark, but in Helmand the tradition is embraced by the Danish troops.

by Thorbjørn Hein, based on a Danish language article by Jeanette Serritzlev

Remembrance Day parade in Camp Price, Helmand. Everyone who can is there. British, American and Danish soldiers. The berets are out in the sun. Camp Price is normally a ‘hats off’ zone, but at parades and other solemn occasions the berets are dusted off and worn. 

- I am incredibly pleased to be part of this, says Chaplain Niels Peter Sørensen. He stands in for the regular chaplain who is currently on leave. 

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