10.11.2014
All parliamentary business will be suspended at Holyrood at 11am on Tuesday 11 November, to observe a two minute silence on Armistice Day.
MSPs, staff and visitors will be invited to join the Presiding Officer as she leads Parliament’s commemoration of those who sacrificed their lives.
After the Parliament has fallen silent for two minutes, Stuart McMillan MSP will give a rendition of Flowers O' The Forest on bagpipes.
The Presiding Officer will close the commemoration with a reading of John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields.
Presiding Officer, the Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said:
“In this centenary year of the ‘war to end all wars’, we remember the millions who died between 1914-18.
“I have chosen to read John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields. McCrae’s vivid imagery of the poppy is regarded by many as the inspiration behind the flower we wear at this time of year.
“All MSPs, staff and visitors to Holyrood are invited to join us this Armistice Day in reflecting on the devastating impact of wars past and present.”
Legion Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Gray will attend, together with veterans from Whitefoord House.
Legion Scotland helps ex-services men and women of all ages across Scotland to adapt to civilian life by providing community, friendship and practical advice, whether they left military service yesterday or more than fifty years ago.
Whitefoord House provides high quality, supported accommodation in Edinburgh for veterans who are homeless or in need through the Veterans Housing Association (SVHA).
Media access arrangements
Members of the media, including TV cameras and press photographers are invited to attend. Broadcasters who wish to cover the event live can access the inject point in the Garden Lobby. The Parliament’s in-house photographer will also issue images to all picture desks. The Presiding Officer will deliver the reading at 1059hrs. All Committee business will be suspended at 1100hrs.
Order of commemoration event
Location: Garden Lobby, Scottish Parliament
1045hrs: Media RV time
1059hrs: Presiding Officer calls to order and reads excerpt from Ode of Remembrance
1100hrs: Commencement of two-minute silence
1103hrs: Bugler plays Last Post
Presiding Officer reads In Flanders Fields
Stuart McMillan MSP plays Flowers O' The Forest on bagpipes
Bugler plays Reveille
1105hrs: Clear
The poem, In Flanders Fields by John McCrae can be accessed in full from the Scottish Poetry Library website via this link:
http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/flanders-fields
Biographical details on John McCrae can be accessed via this link:
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john-mccrae-in-flanders-fields.htm