November is always a bit of a solemn month. In it, we remember the sacrifice of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in acts of war. These remembrance events do not glorify war but seek to unite people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds against the horror and suffering that so many continue to face.
The problem for many is that the focus of the remembrance events can be on those who lost their lives in the first and second world wars. The sacrifice of both men and women in these conflicts absolutely deserves out pride and respect. But the direct memory of their sacrifice is rapidly moving into history. So we also remember members of our armed services who have routinely engaged in conflicts that we have only witnessed on our televisions. Some of these were major conflicts such as the Korean war, the Gulf war, the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, the war in Iraq and most recently Afghanistan. There are numerous other conflicts where our forces have fought to defend the democratic freedoms of other countries. Many soldiers and civilians lost their lives or were injured in the conflict in Northern Ireland, as well as the terrorist attacks we have suffered in the mainland United Kingdom.
Remembrance isn’t focused just on what happened in history but also on something that continues to affect the lives of so many people; for those who have been involved in the violence of war, the trauma doesn’t end when the fighting stops. The memory of what they have seen or been required to do is frequently buried deep within them and only emerges with time.
The first thing we can do to remember is buy a poppy. The Royal British Legion who run this charity continues to do amazing work with people whose lives have been affected by war. Wearing a poppy is never compulsory but it is a sign of both remembrance and commitment to those who have given so much. The ex-servicemen I know greatly appreciate those who use this to show their support.
Secondly, you are welcome to attend one of the remembrance events. Within the villages we will hold Remembrance Sunday services at St John’s Northington, where we will be joined by the Royal British Legion, and at St Leonard’s Church in Cliddesden as well as All Saints, Dummer. There will also be a service of remembrance on Armistice Day held at the memorial in Preston Candover where we will be joined by the pupils of Preston Candover School. In these services we will remember the sacrifice of our armed forces. We will also pay tribute to the special contribution of families who have lost loved ones with words and hymns, but also with silence as we remember those who gave so much to uphold the things we value most.
Ian