Too often we are reminded of the terrible cost war brings to nations, communities and families. We see pictures and film clips from the war-torn areas of the Middle East. Bombed out buildings that were home to many families. We hear the cries of the children, frightened, and the pleas for help, for food, for water and for medicine. Bombs do not distinguish between age, sex or profession and much of the bombing recently has been said to be aimed at government insurgents yet what we see is the bodies of children and women being pulled out from under the crushed buildings and rubble; hospitals raised to the ground.
It is so many years ago that our nation suffered bombings and horrific attacks that most of us don’t have experience of the atrocities we see on the television, but they happened, and in war, our nation has unleased attacks on other nations in the name of justice. From the most recent conflicts, our nation mourns many dead and remember even more men and women who were hurt, injured or damaged in the course of carrying out their duties.
Our annual remembrance is the least we can do for those who fought bravely for our freedom during the First and Second World Wars. How easy it could be to let the lessons of the past slip into forgetfulness. How easy it can be to buy a poppy as a token gesture, and observe with reverence and respect the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, and that be that for another year. But sadly for those who still suffer from the wounds of battle, and those who mourn their loved one, the pain continues, but thankfully so does the work of the Royal British Legion and other organisations who support them.
How much do we have to be thankful for; for living and growing up in a peaceful part of the world? I think the words “enormously grateful” doesn’t go far enough or do justice to the gratitude we owe as a nation to those who made it possible, and how I wish that the leaders of the nations of our world would work for peace so that a more secure future could be guaranteed for all.
Services of Remembrance will be held on Sunday 13th November at All Saints Church, Belton at 10.30am (where the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers will be on parade) and at St Peter & St Paul, Burgh Castle at 3pm. Moorlands Church of England Primary Academy will also be marking Remembrance in church on the day.
