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Annual Service of Remembrance held at St Nikolaus Church Pattaya
Derek Brook
At this time of the year you will notice poppies
appearing all over Pattaya, and on the television you will notice the
presenters all have poppies on their lapels. This period is called
Remembrancetide and all over the world people are “Remembering with the
Poppy.”
Peter
Srivorakul C.Ss.R. officiates the Annual Service of Remembrance at St
Nikolaus Church in Pattaya.
The Royal British Legion are the Custodian of Remembrance
in Britain and overseas wherever a branch is formed. Here in Thailand this
honour falls to the Royal British Legion branch in Chonburi and we see this
period as by far our most busy period throughout the year.
Apart from the normal Remembrance time, two days stand
out during this period: Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day that
commemorates the end of WWI at the 11th hour on the 11th Day of the 11th
Month. Remembrance Sunday is the Second Sunday in November and members
attend this Remembrance Service at the British Embassy in Bangkok. However,
until this year we did not have a formal service here in Pattaya on the 11th
of November. This year we decided to change that and our Secretary Bert
Elson, really the main driver of this service, got to work.
The
Standard was lowered at 1100 a.m. and the Silence took place.
Just a little information on why the 11th hour on the
11th day of the 11th month. Simply this was the date on which the ‘First
World War’ or ‘The Great War’ ended. This was a brutal war when troops were
butchered wholesale and the landscape was devastated. In Flanders, however,
the poppy flowered every year bringing hope, and a Canadian doctor, Lt
Colonel McCrae wrote a poem called ‘In Flanders Field’. The first line is,
‘In Flanders fields the poppies blow.’ Civilians wanted to remember the
senseless slaughter and loved ones lost, and an American War Secretary,
Moina Michael, inspired by the poem, sold poppies to raise money for the
ex-service community. And so the tradition was born. The British Legion
which formed in 1921, now since 1971 the Royal British Legion, held its
first Memorial Service in Britain on 11 November 1921.
Wreaths
were laid by the Honorary British Consul, the Royal British Legion, the
American Embassy Pattaya Warden, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Regents
School, St Andrews School, Garden International School and G4S.
This year we decided that we would have a Remembrance
Service here in Pattaya and Bert got to work. First he delved into the
requirements for the service and produced a ‘discussion’ document. He then
looked around Pattaya and decided that St Nikolaus was the ideal location.
So we began the build up to our First Service of Remembrance in Pattaya.
On the 11th November the Annual Service of Remembrance
was held at St Nikolaus Church in Pattaya with the Officiating Clergy Fr.
Peter Srivorakul C.Ss.R. Guests arrived at 1030 a.m., 130 attending, and the
service commenced at 1050 a.m.. The Standard was lowered at 1100 a.m. and
The Silence took place.
130
people attended the Annual Service of Remembrance.
The service was very touching, and followed traditional
lines. Wreaths were laid by the Honorary British Consul, the Royal British
Legion, the American Embassy Pattaya Warden, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the
Regents School, St Andrews School, Garden International School and G4S.
After there was light refreshment available and old
friendships could be renewed.
I would like to give thanks to St Nikolaus Church, Father
Peter and the Father Ray Foundation. To our sponsors G4S, MBMG and Matvic
Butchers. A really great thank you to the 130 people who turned up and a
special thank you to Bert who laboured long and hard for this day to take
place.
With such a poignant day we shall be here this day next
year and hope to see you all.
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Why do Jewish men die before their wives?
On November 14, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg
welcomed everyone to the Amari Resort’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant for the
regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. After the usual opening
announcements, Richard called on fellow member David Garmaise to entertain
everyone with his latest topic.
PCEC Board
member David Garmaise entertains members with a thoroughly enjoyable Keynote
presentation titled, “Is Nothing Sacred: A Tour of Jewish Humor.”
Previously, David has entertained the Club with a nostalgic
look back at Hollywood movies. Another time, he entertained everyone by taking
them to the theatre with a Broadway in Concert video presentation. David’s topic
for this meeting was a little bit different as he gave a multi-media slide
presentation entitled, “Is Nothing Sacred: A Tour of Jewish Humor.”
David started with a question: “Why do Jewish men die before
their wives?” and the answer was: “Because they want to.” David explained that
this Henny Youngman joke is typical of Jewish humor. Some of the characteristics
of Jewish humor are that it is self-deprecating, no subject is taboo, it plays
on the stereotypes people have about Jewish people, and it often has a dry,
oddball, almost twisted quality to it.
He proceeded to provide numerous examples, using voice (his),
cartoons, audio clips and video clips, featuring the likes of Alan Sherman and
Myron Cohen. David also used video clips from a series called “Old Jews Telling
Jokes,” which is available as a podcast.
The presentation was received with much laughter and
appreciation. Some examples of the humor David presented was another question
and answer: “What is a Jewish dilemma? Half-price pork.” Another humorous
example of Jewish humor was: after the assassination of Tsar Alexander II of
Russia, a government official menacingly addressed the local rabbi: “I suppose
you know in full detail who was behind it.” To which the rabbi said: “Ach, I
have no idea, but the government’s conclusion will be the same as always: They
will blame the Jews and the bicyclists.” “Why the bicyclists?” asked the
befuddled official. “Why the Jews?” the rabbi responded.
David explained that Jewish people like to talk about
“chutzpah.” He provided three definitions of “chutzpah”: (1) Chutzpah is reading
the entire book in the store and not buying it; (2) Chutzpah is going to the
psychiatrist because of a split personality, and asking for a group rate; and
(3) Chutzpah is killing your mother and father, and then pleading with the judge
for mercy on the grounds that you are an orphan.” David finished his
presentation with a quote from Archie Bunker: “Jesus was a Jew, yes, but only on
his mother’s side.”
After David’s presentation, the audience joined in with a few
additional jokes of their own. A good time was had by all. As E.E. Cummings
said, “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.”
Richard then updated everyone on upcoming events in and
around Pattaya before calling on Judith Edmonds to conduct the always
informative and sometimes humorous Open Forum, where questions about living in
Thailand and Pattaya in particular are asked and answered.
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Pattaya Grand Tropical
Garden & Orchid Exhibition
City officials, together with the management of the Royal
Garden Plaza have announced that a special Grand Tropical Garden Orchid
Exhibition will take place from November 25-29 in the confines of the Royal
Garden Plaza shopping mall.
The event will feature an Orchid competition to either
witness or take part in with a cash prize of 10,000 baht going to the
winning entry. The 5 day organic expo will also include Thai cultural and
traditional shows, plus booths selling horticultural products and offering
professional advice to gardeners and plant lovers.
Throughout the course of the event the entire ground floor of the Royal
Garden Plaza mall will be decorated in the theme of a tropical forest by
experts from the Nong Nuch Tropical Garden.
English language tests for partners introduced
 From
the 29th November 2010 any non-European migrant who wants to enter or remain in
the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK will
need to show that they can speak and understand English, by taking an approved
English language test.
The new rules will apply to anyone applying as the husband,
wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiance(e) or
prospective civil partner of a UK citizen or a person settled in this country.
These tests will be compulsory for people applying from
within the UK as well as visa applicants from overseas. Migrant spouses and
partners will have to demonstrate English language ability at A1 level of the
Common European Framework of Reference (speaking and listening).
Applicants will be required to provide evidence with their
application that they have passed an acceptable English test with one of the UK
Border Agency’s approved test providers.
 Ed
Mackie, UK Border Agency Regional Manager, East Asia said, “This new requirement
was announced in June this year and as we get close to the implementation date
we’d like to remind those planning on applying for a marriage visa to the UK
that from November 29th they will be required to pass a compulsory English
Language Test.
“Speaking English promotes integration into British society
and broadens opportunities. The new rules will help ensure that migrant spouses
are able to participate in British life from the outset and integrate more
easily into wider UK society.”
Further guidance for applicants is available on the UK Border
Agency website, along with a full list of approved English language test
providers. Details of approved English language test providers testing at ‘A1
level’ in Thailand can be found at www.vfs-uk-th.com
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