As November rolls round and the days get shorter and colder, the appearances of poppies are a sign that Remembrance Sunday is around the corner, and an important opportunity for us all to reflect on those that gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.
This year’s Remembrance events take on a more poignant twist at a national level, as for the first time in 70 years our Armed Forces have a new Commander-in-Chief. Attending the commemorations at the Cenotaph was always an important date in the late Queen’s diary; even if ill health prevented her from laying her own wreath in recent years, she often observed proceedings from the balcony at the Foreign Office. I’m sure that King Charles will be as steadfast in these duties, as he now takes responsibility for leading the UK and the Commonwealth through this solemn occasion.
Remembrance Sunday is also an opportunity to think about those who serve us today, their families, and the veterans of previous conflicts who are still with us. I’m sure many of us will be thinking too about the Ukranian servicemen who continue to put their lives on the line in the face of Russian aggression. Over the past nine months we have seen the terrors of war on the very same continent as ours, and it has made us grateful for the freedoms we enjoy.
I am proud of the support that the UK has given to Ukraine, whether that be in the form of weaponry or non-lethal aid such as medical and communications supplies, as well as training Ukranian troops to the high standards of our own Army for combat effectiveness. As the second-largest international military aid donor, we can be proud of the part that our country, including our servicemen and women, have played in standing up for freedom, liberty and democracy.
This article first appeared in the Halesowen & Dudley News on 10th November 2022.
