So, it seems the local schools in and around my village made an effort - and it even made it onto the national (frenchie + flemish) TV here last week.
What brings some hope to me is the French and Flemish kids being together - and talking openly about peace. Unlike the political class "adults", who do their best to exploit every francophone/flemish divide for political gain - and wilfully ignore the obvious blood soaked pig-headed political failures on their doorsteps - yet happily share a stage and mark the commemoration (when the cameras are there).
I'm happy my 2 oldest kids were there.
2 nights after the school commemoration was actually 11/11/18. The boys and me stopped in at the supermarket across from the little memorial. It was pitch dark and lashing down with rain, but my oldest (9) asked if he could go across and see the "unknown soldier" - it's not, and he now feels better that it's just a statue and not a grave.
. We spent 10 mins there, in the dark and p1ssin rain. We took turns to read out the names, age, ranks, where they'd died etc from the Cenotaph - and the little plaque at the side that said that the "Anglais" had liberated the village in Sept 1944.
We came home soaked, but for once I think my boys genuinely felt and understood why their daft old Dad keeps banging on about this "war" stuff...
https://www.facebook.com/1640.be/videos/361092401304824/