Carry On London: Sending Love and Support
I can’t really carry on exactly as usual today, not after the terror attack that struck London this week, killing five (including the attacker) and wounding another forty people when he crashed his automobile into a gate at the Palace of Westminster. Among the dead is unarmed policeman Keith Palmer who was stabbed by the attacker, Khalid Masood. Masood was then shot dead by armed British policemen. Yes, in the sensitive area near the House of Parliament, the policemen do carry guns.
The attack is the worst since the 2005 London bombing attacks which killed 52 people and injured another 700.
While I can’t really carry on exactly as usual, of course London can. And does. It’s in the blood. The Keep Calm & Carry On message has become very popular lately, popping up on pillows and trays and all kinds of home decor items but for Britishers the words are more than a pithy phrase. The poster atop this page dates back to 1939, designed to boost the country’s morale while in the midst of the blitz. As one of three children to British parents, it was normal while growing up to have our parents say Carry on London and Chin Up! whenever we were feeling down. The stiff upper lip? It’s practically a physical attribute.
In that spirit I was delighted to learn from Joy, our host for British Isles Friday, that in the wake of the attack, London tube stations have been posting encouraging words meant to comfort grieving passengers.
This is the sign posted at Tower Hill Station, site of our last London walk.
💔 Hard to write today. #Westminster #RIP #LondonIsOpen #LAS #LFB #metpolice #BTP #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/YVMiSwqXpu— Tower Hill Station (@towerhilltube) March 23, 2017
And on the Northern Line
Thursday 23rd March Thought Of The Day From Oval Station #IAmLondon #wearenotafraid #Ilovelondon pic.twitter.com/Jouvwb6JvG— Oval Tube Station (@Oval_station) March 23, 2017
And at Tottenham Court Station
The attack won’t impact my plans to visit London in May. My husband and I are getting more and more excited as we plot our rough itineraries. How about you? Is a trip to the UK in your future? Does the attack have you rethinking your plans?#TCRStation #TransportForLondon #LondonUnderground #SideBySide #We #StandTogether #Westminster #RIP #LondonIsOpen #LAS #LFB #metpolice #BTP pic.twitter.com/B7rYFjz9fW— Tottenham Court Road (@TCRStation) March 23, 2017
Connect with Joy’s British Isles Friday meme.