The dates are fairly arbitrary. Fighting did not end on the 11th November 1914, and the suffering caused by the fighting ceratinly didn't. People were still fighting and dying after that date.
It is a convenient date/time though and it serves its purpose. To be a focal point for people's remeberance - whether that is of nations at war, nations (temporarily) coming to peace, or my Great Uncle Joseph who died on the Somme and left a 4 month old baby.
Over the next few years we have a number of significant anniversaries - already mentioned including Paschendale etc. It's also the last 'significant' set of anniversaries that may be attended by people who remember the events. The children who grew up with fathers damaged by the experiences in the trenches, for instance.
The point where living memory becomes 'dead' history is (to my mind) really important and should be recognised.
I've no doubt some people - not just politicians - prefer to see the commemorations as an opportunity to further their jingoistic, nationalistic or personal advancement agendas. I choose to use them to consider - and research - the people, actual living breathing people with feelings and hopes, from my family that experienced the horrors of war and the fears of those left behind, like Gt Uncle Jospeh.
It is not to honour war, but to recognise that war is a human, personal thing. Without people it simply doesn't happen - war does not exist without people.
I see no reason to avoid commemorating the start of war as if that would glorify it. It is that moment (roughly) that people's lives began to change.
For a really good, and human-level, insight into that whole period you may like to read Fall of Giants by Ken Follett.
My grandfather, at the age of 21, served under the command of Admiral, John Jelicoe on his flagship, HMS Iron Duke, during the First World War. Taking part at the battle of Jutland.
I shall probably be commemorating the whole war
What cannot be changed is that thousands lost their lives, not only in 1914-1918, but countless conflicts before and since, and no doubt in countless others still not envisaged.
Each has their own way of wanting to do things.
Each has their own way of remembering things.
Each has their own way of commemorating things.
Just like each have their own ways of celebrating things.
On this subject, it's obvious each is passionate.
It's also obvious each have their own views.
Each has something that triggers a reflective moment.
Each has something that triggers a memory.
Each to their own, so long as acknowlegement is paid in whatever small (or otherwise) personal way at what ever time and for however long or brief to allow us of whatever generation we belong to to understand history, as this is one of the things that helps make us who we are today, whatever our views or differences.
Hearing works for me for family lost in any way, whether via conflict or not, or just a life well lived.
Take a couple of minutes yourself and reflect.
