Remember, remember the twelfth of November

Face-Powder, Treason and Pomp

The Reverend Blair and his rubber stamp have attended a Festival of Remembrance to pay tribute to those killed because they were told they were fighting for their country.

Hundreds of ex-servicemen and women packed London's Royal Albert Hall for the annual service.

Tony Blair, who has sent people to die for his conception of their country on several occasions, and who has sent people to help the natives die for their country on several more, was one of the first dignitaries to arrive for the event. His wife was dressed so compassionately that the Press Association thought it worth reporting.

They were followed by several senior Royals, including the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. This was the first time the Duchess has accompanied the Prince to this event, which is something else the Press Association found newsworthy, perhaps because of what the Duchess was wearing.

The last of the dignitaries to arrive were the rubber stamp and her consort. The rubber stamp was also dressed in a newsworthy fashion.

After the service of remembrance, a two-minute silence "was being observed", according to the professional writers at the Press Association, in honour of the war dead.

Thousands of blood red poppy petals, paid for by a leading arms manufacturer, were to fall from the great dome at the end of the evening to represent all those who have died in combat over the years, including presumably the Waffen-SS and their famously effective interrogation units.

According to the professional writers at the Press Association, the event mixes entertainment of military bands with solemn reflection. It is to be hoped that the military bands had a jolly time.

Among those taking part was Private Johnson Beharry, who received the Victoria Cross for heroism in Iraq, where Private Beharry's country is even now being defended.