That is utterly unfair. There was no hint of sneering, let alone the enjoyment of sneering, anywhere in what I posted. And your preaching at me about my freedoms is also unnecessary. I pointed out that the people who defeated German fascism meant that neither I nor my son ever had to be called up to fight. Most people reading my comment would interpret that as an expression of gratitude, which is exactly what it was intended as.

I take Don's point about medals, though nowhere did I insinuate that medals were somehow awarded on kill rate. However, whatever actions they were awarded for, they are still redolent of the militarism that I personally wish played a far smaller part in the ceremonials. I sometimes look at the vast arrays of gongs sported by royalty at these events and wonder exactly how they came by them. We all owe gratitude to those who defended our freedom. That lot owe a whole extra layer of gratitude to the poor bloody fighting men and women who keep them in the manner to which they are so undeservedly accustomed. As I say, mixed feelings. I'll still buy a poppy and I always observe the silence.

Celebrating militarism, which is what these occasions frequently do, especially when it is tied to religion, will help to glorify and perpetuate it. You don't have to be a pacifist to express the opinion that we would a be a damn sight better off in a world which had a lot less militarism.