REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE

[dhagger]

AFTER WATCHING LONDON PARADE ON TV WOULD TO KNOW JUST HOW FAR VETERANS MARCH-START AND FINISH OF PARADE

[Ann]

I was thinking exactly the same thing - they put me to shame and I'm 30 years younger than some of the oldest .........they are amazing - so proud and respectful. I'm glad it was sunny and mild for them in London, i bet this helped.

[emmie]

it's not so far, but they are there for a very long time, as i have witnessed in the past, having watched the parade start to finish. There is a lot of waiting, hanging around, before forming into their respective regiments, and lining up, then marching past the Cenotaph and beyond to Horseguards Parade. A very long day all round.

[anotheoldgit]

Why are you shouting dhagger? :0)

I thought the Queen (85) and Prince Philip (90) did remarkably well, standing for that length of time.

[emmie]

AOG, they don't stand for that long.

[anotheoldgit]

em10

Standing still in one position for over 30mins, is a long time for persons of that age.

[emmie]

AOG it's why i don't go there these days, because once you go past security, get bags checked, the crowds are ten deep, so no getting out. As much as i would love to it's too hard on the old bod.

[derekpara]

Em.

Ive done the Whitehall parade several times now and I can tell you that the marchers DO stand for a long time.
You have to be formed up in your columns on Horse Guards parade before 9.30am and there is nowhere to sit until you march onto Whitehall - and it's quite a relief to get moving again after standing 'at ease' for over an hour. Then you stand again until the contingents move off after the service, and that can be some time if you are well back in the parade.

The march is then down Whitehall, turning right into Parliament Square and right into Horse Guards where the salute is taken by a member of the Royal family outside the Foreign Office. Columns are then marched onto the parade ground where they are dismissed.

It's quite an effort for aging limbs, but well worth it.

This year I was on parade in Maidstone where the Royal Engineers have a specialist IED regiment together with a company of Gurkhas.

[emmie]

its more of less what i said,its not so much the distance, but the long day and waiting around before setting off. I would be so proud to be part of it, amongst all the people. I have stood in the crowd, and what a throng, it's so emotional, with the music, and seeing the Chelsea Pensioners, and all the other brave men and women, perhaps one day i'll get the chance to see it again.

[dhagger]

Thanks everyone. A great help.