REMEMBRANCE

Every year, as a nation we unite in a shared Remembrance Act. In a unified moment of quiet reflection we honour the fallen, and those affected by conflict. We show support for veterans, active servicemen and women and their families. Poignant personal moments are found during formal commemorative services such as Armistice day and Remembrance Sunday where we gather together, lay wreaths, wear a poppy and observe the two minutes silence.

The Royal British Legion is proud of its role as the custodian of National Remembrance, as hosts of the Festival of Remembrance and since 1927 organizing the march past at the Cenotaph of thousands of veterans, relatives and associations that follows the November Remembrance service.

To mark the 75th Anniversary of D Day in 2018 the RBL chartered a ship and took over 200 D-Day veterans and their family members back to the beaches of Normandy. This year is the 80th Anniversary and once again the RBL alongside charities such as the Spirit of Normandy Trust are delighted to be supporting D Day veterans return once more to Normandy.

Last night, you may have watched on TV the D-Day 80 Bayeux War Cemetery Commemorative Event in France which was hosted by the RBL and today we host the British National D-Day 80 Remembrance Event at the British Normandy Memorial, France and a Remembrance Service at the National Memorial Arboretum in addition to countless community events around the country.

However informal acts of Remembrance can also occur at any time of the year, when perhaps an anniversary, film, photograph or meeting someone triggers a thought or feeling. At such times, people acknowledge their grief, sadness and pride as they remember a person or an event, be it an event on a scale like that which took place

80 years ago today or one that may be deeply personal to you and your family.

At such times the RBL encourages communities and individuals to find their own way of engaging in Remembrance and through their membership of the RBL many find comradery and friendship to lean on when required.

Many choose to visit our National Memorial Arboretum which now provides a home to over 350 memorials for both military and civilian groups. Others may go on a pilgrimage, wear a poppy, create a quiet place for reflection or even have a tattoo as a permanent reminder.

For those of us who feel a deep personal connection to those serving in the Armed Forces, Remembrance can represent loyalty, attachment, pride, loss and the upholding of tradition.

Being in the company of Veterans such as Bill Johnston and military personnel at a commemorative event can feel like a privilege and a honour that reminds us of the close bonds between service personnel who live, train and fight together, a deep sense of togetherness is part of the military culture.

In this context, remembrance is an opportunity to pause and reflect, giving thanks and honoring the memory of all those who gave their lives to defend our democratic freedoms. Remembering others in this way doesn't glorify conflict, instead it aims to unite people across faiths, cultures and backgrounds.

As we pass the mantle of Remembrance from this generation to the next, we should embrace the enthusiasm and interest shown by children. All of us who deliver poppies to schools in October, are familiar with the excited squeals of POPPIES as we cross the playing ground, but less obvious is the amazing work that our primary schools and cadet organizations do in teaching remembrance and in supporting our military communities, so it is great to see so many of you here today and hopefully we can support you, as you take the memories onwards.

Everyone remembers differently, but I am sure that the soldiers of the 29th Division who are remembered on this memorial would be happy to share this quiet corner of the green with all those that may wish to take a moment for themselves in the future to pause and remember.