British politicians honour those killed in war

In Britain thousands of war veterans have held their annual service of remembrance. Queen Elizabeth The Second led the ceremony in central London and was joined by politicians and representatives of the commonwealth countries. This report from Greg Morsbach.

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At the first stroke of Big Ben at 11 o' clock GMT on this cold morning, the crowd observed a two minute silence. A bugler sounded the Last Post. Then the Queen laid a wreath of blood red poppies at the foot of the stone memorial.

Thousands of men and women, young and old, many with war medals pinned to their suits marched past the Cenotaph and saluted Prince Charles as they walked down the government district of Whitehall. Senior military officer, Air Chief Marshall, Jock Stirrup, was at the ceremony. “This day is not just about the Second World War, or about the First World War. It's about the sacrifice and the contribution of so many people over the years, right up until the present day.”

On the outskirts of the Iraqi city of Basra, British soldiers paused for a moment. Thousands of kilometres away from home their thoughts turned towards those they left behind, both on the battlefield and at home in Britain.

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war veterans
people who fought in a war

the Cenotaph memorial
a monument to honor the people who were killed

stroke
one of the sounds which the clock makes to tell people what the time is

observed
took part in

a bugler sounded The Last Post
a traditional military tune was played on a bugle (a small trumpet-like instrument)

poppies
red flowers often worn to honour people killed in war

at the foot of
at the bottom of

saluted
made a sign of respect by raising their hands to the side of their heads

the sacrifice
the act of giving up something in order to help others

outskirts
the areas that form the edge of the city

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