Unexpected Moments

It being my last day in Southampton and, with nothing in particular on the agenda, I decided to walk to Watts Park, a beautiful complex of parks close to the old town. There were a number of flower beds, one spectacularly planted to roses.

This silver clematis outside the dog park reminded me of the exhibition "Light Into Life" by Marc Quinn at Kew Gardens last year.

Toward the top of the park I came upon the Queen's Fountain, built in 2001 "In celebration of the services rendered to the nation by the Monarchy and the People."

Nearby was a very pretty water garden

and around the corner from that was the Titanic Engineers' Memorial.

As I stood there, I thought I heard pipe music. I walked toward the source and saw what looked like the tiniest parade ever. Traffic stewards led this small contingent through the street; British and Scottish flags were followed by the Rose and Thistle band made up of six pipers, one bass drum, one snare drum and two tom toms. Behind them were small groups of people led by men bearing banners, all of which bore the initials LOL. Nope, not laugh out loud, Loyal Order of Orangemen Lodge (I wonder which O they left out?) The Orangemen, as they are often called, is a fraternal organization with a strong focus on Protestant identity and the preservation of the Protestant Reformation's principles. The Order's name is derived from William of Orange, who is revered for his role in the "Glorious Revolution" when James II was overthrown and replaced by his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange.

I followed them for a while, intrigued at where this tiny parade was going. They turned into the park and the destination was revealed: the Southampton Cenotaph war memorial.

The band stopped playing, the marchers gathered before the Cenotaph and three of them marched up the stairs and placed a wreath of poppies against it.

There then followed speeches and prayers, during one of which the reader thanked God "for William of Orange rescuing them and ensuring the preservation of the true Protestant religion." There was a reading in honor of the 80th anniversary of VE day. It told about the reaction of the people of Southampton on that day, the celebrations, the relief, the joy, and the reflections of those who had lost so much during the war.

I couldn't help but think of my father. He and his two brothers served in WWII. My dad was a pilot, his brother Howard was in the infantry and was in the second wave of American soldiers liberating Auschwitz. My Uncle Ken was a navigator who was killed when his plane was shot down in the South Pacific. I found myself thinking of them and how horrified they would be at what's happening in US. Will their sacrifices have been in vain?

A lone piper played Amazing Grace.

The ceremony finished, the band fired up and they all started marching again.

I followed them for a while and felt almost overwhelmed at the wave of emotions washing over me. It has been 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in "the war to end all wars." It made me reflect on the state of the world, on human rights, and on tinpot dictators.

Sometimes the smallest, most unexpected events can prove so moving.